LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf .^ ' 

UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. 



OUTLINES 



OF 



BIBLE STUDY. 



A FOUR- YEARS COURSE 



SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, 

G. M." STEELE, D.D. 

Principal of Wesleyan Academy, Wilbkaham, Mass. 




fi 



V 





LEACH, SHEWELL, & SANBORN, 

Boston and New York. 
CO 



C(<ss^ 



S1^ 



Copyright, 1889, 
George M. Steele. 



C. J. PETERS & SON, 

Typographers and Electrotypers, 

145 High Street, Boston. 



PREFACE. 



These " Outlines " are designed for the use of those who desire 
to take a systematic course of study of the English Bible. It is 
intended especially for students in academies, preparatory schools, 
and colleges, but it will also be found useful to adult Bible-classes, 
and as a guide to any persons who are privately associating for the 
purpose of methodical study of the Holy Scriptures. The purpose 
contemplated is to give a good general knowledge of the character 
and contents of the Scriptures, using only the Bible as a text-book. 
The "Outlines'' are not given as lessons to be learned, but as guides 
and suggestions of method. The plan chiefly adopted is that of 
analysis and syllabus, with suggestive questions. 

In pursuing the studies of the several series, much is, of course, 
left to the discretion of the teacher. It will be found that, in cases 
of not greatly advanced and not largely disciplined minds, some of 
the lessons will be too long. In such cases, judicious selections can 
be made. 

The work is divided into four series or courses, covering the 
study of four years. The first year's course embraces the Patri- 
archal and Hebrew history, from the creation to the end of the 
reign of Solomon ; the second course completes the Hebrew history. 
There are also added outlines of the poetic and prophetic books. 
The third course comprises the Life of Christ as contained in the 
four Gospels ; the fourth course embraces the history of the Prop- 
agation of the Gospel as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles and 
illustrated in the Epistles and the Book of Revelation. 

In the Hebrew history, the Bible narratives are followed some- 
what minutely, with the exception of that part of the Pentateuch 



IV PREFACE. 

containing the ceremonial law, which is only slightly treated. The 
poetic and prophetic books are gone over much more cursorily, and 
the study is more nearly analogous to the study of authors in 
courses in literature in our schools. It is only intended to give a 
good knowledge of the general character, purpose, style, and relig- 
ious teachings of these books. The introductions here are much 
more full, both containing information not readily accessible to the 
ordinary student, and grouping in convenient forms some of the 
matter contained in the books themselves. 

In the Life of Christ, it has been the design to present the events 
in their chronological order, and also to harmonize the different nar- 
ratives. Dr. Strong's "Harmony of the Gospels'' has been followed 
for the most part. 

The treatment of the Propagation of the Gospel is similar to 
that of the Life of Christ — that is, it is treated chronologically, 
the History and the Epistles being taken together in the order of 
time. This gives added interest to both, as well as a pleasing vari- 
ety by the change from one to the other. The introductions both 
here and in the Life of Christ are more full than in the Hebrew 
history, but they are designed to be suggestive and stimulating, 
not substitutive, in relation to the sacred text. The plan through- 
out is to keep simply to the study of the Word itself, and it is be- 
lieved that there is not a question or an item anywhere in the series 
that contains a denominational implication, or indicates a prefer- 
ence for any theological party among those who regard the Scrip- 
tures as a Divine Kevelation. 

It will be found in practice better sometimes to vary the order 
of study in the " Outlines " to a certain extent. Thus in the second 
year's course it may be found more profitable with a certain class of 
students to take up the Life of Christ immediately after the conclu- 
sion of the Hebrew history, and upon its completion return to the 
poetic and prophetic books, as the latter demand more disciplined 
minds in order to a full understanding of them. 

The lists of reference books given in connection with the several 
courses is not intended so much for the students as for teachers. 



PREFACE. V 

To many of the former they would not be accessible, nor would 
they be competent to use them to advantage. With them the main 
purpose should be to get a correct idea of the Bible history and 
the Bible teachings. It is obvious that, to secure this desirable re- 
sult, and to save time and work for the teacher, each member of the 
class should he provided icith a cojjy of the " Outlines.''^ 

The study of the divine Word pursued in this way has been 
found exceedingly interesticg and profitable, and has attracted 
much attention from those who have been cognizant of it. That the 
students of our American schools should become at least as well 
acquainted with the sources of our religion as they are required to 
do with those of ancient heathen nations would seem to be self- 
evident, even if our religion were as mythical as much of those is 
acknowledged to be. How much more, not only when a large ma- 
jority of our citizens recognize it to be the true and only religion, 
but when it is made the basis of our civilization, and is implied 
and involved in our whole national life ! Yet the ignorance of 
large proportions of even educated and fairly intelligent people 
among us, of the Bible, is painfully obvious. That some method 
should be devised that would make the study of these sacred writ- 
ings as attractive as that of any other literature, is very desirable. 
That this humble attempt in this direction, if not a great success, 
may not prove a failure, is the hope of the compiler of these 
" Outlines." 

The thanks of the Author and Publishers are due to the Rev. 
Francis N. Peloubet, D. D., for valuable suggestions in the prepa- 
ration of the list of Eeference Books. 

Wesleyan Academy, TVilbraham, Mass., June, 1889. 



FIRST YEAR'S COURSE. 



PATKIARCHAL AND HEBREW HISTORY. — FROM 

THE CREATION TO THE DEATH 

OF SOLOMON. 



BOOKS OF REFERENCE. — FIRST year. 

GENERAL. — Smith's Old Testament Histoby. 
Geikie's Hours with the Bible. 
Milman's History of the Jews. 

Stanley's History of the Jewish Church, 1st and 2d Series. 
Josephus' Jewish Antiquities. 

Thompson's The Land and the Book. New ed. , 3 vols. 
Stanley's Sinai and Palestine. 
Kiumraacher's David King of Israel. 
Walker's Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation. 
Professor Blakie's Manual of Bible History. 
Sime's Kingdom of all Israel. 
• Cowle's Pentateuch. 
Cowle's Hebrew History. 

Eand, McNally & Co.'s Manual of Biblical History and 
Geography. 

SCIENCE. — Professor Birch's Ancient History from the Monuments. 
Professor Sayce's Fresh Light from the Ancient Monuments. 
Eawlinson's "Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament. 
Bishop Walsh's Echoes of Bible History. 

ON CREATION. —Professor Guy of s Creation. 
Hugh Miller's Testimony of the Rocks. 
Rev. Dr. Geo. B. Boardman's The Creative Week. 
Charles B. Warring' s The Miracle of To-day. 
Professor Tayler Lewis' The Six Days of Creation. 
R. S. Poole's The Genesis of Earth and Man. 
Rev. Dr. Joseph Thompson's Man in Genesis and Geology. 
Dr. J. M. Gibson's Ages Before Moses. 
Principal Dawson's Nature and the Bible. 
Dr. E. Burgess' Antiquity and Unity of the Human Race. 
The Order of Creation. (Discussion by Gladstone, Huxley et al. ) 
President W. F. Warren's Paradise Found. 

ON THE DELUGE. — Hugh Miller's Testimony of the Rocks. 
Geo. Smith's Chaldean Account of Genesis. 
Tayler Lewis in Lange's Commentary on Genesis. 
Lenormant's Ancient History of the East. 

ON ABRAHAM TO MOSES. — Ebers' Uarda, and The Sisters. 
Tompkin's Studies in the Life of Abraham. 
J. Oswald Dykes' Abraham the Friend of Gob. 
Thornley Smith's Joseph and his Times. 
Taylor's Joseph the Prime Minister. 
Taylor's Moses the Lawgiver. 
Hamilton's Moses the Man of God. 

THE EXODUS. — Trumbull's Kadesh-Barnea. 

Edersheim's Exodus and the Wanderings. 
Brugsch's Egypt under the Pharaohs. 
Publications of the Egyptian Exploration Fund. 
Dawson's Egypt and Syria. 
Wardlaw on Miracles. 
Trumbull's The Blood Covenant. 

JOSHUA TO SOLOMON. — Thornley Smith's Joshua and his Times. 
Principal Douglas' The Gospel in the Book of Joshua. 
Miss Smiley's Fulness of Blessing. 
Edersheim's Samuel and Saul. 
Taylor's David King of Israel. 
Blakie's David King of Israel. 

McLaren's Life of David as reflected in the Psalms. 
Tuck's The First Three Kings of Israel. 
Maurice's Prophets and Kings. 
2 



PALESTINE 

IN THE TEME 

OF THE PATRIARCHS 

Illustratin<r the Pentateuch 




5 7iu T 



Witt t Co. Enga. N.Y, 



Patriarchal and Hebrew History, 



I. 

General Character of the Bible. 

1. Not one treatise, hut semral. 

There are, in all, about sixty-six different books : thirty-nine in the Old 
Testament, and twenty-seven in the New. 

3. A great 'cariety in the character of the writers. 

(a) There were about thirty of them in the Old Testament; and 
probably nine in the New. 

(b) Some of them lived in palaces, and some in prisons. Some 
were princes; some were philosophers and scholars; and others 
were shepherds, fishermen, or mechanics. 

3. The time covered. 

(a) They extend over fifteen hundred or sixteen hundred years. 

(b) The earliest were probably written about 1500 B. C. ; the latest 
about 96 A. D. 

4. Division of the books. 

{a) Historical, (b) Poetical, (c) Prophetic, (d) Biographical, (e) 
Epistolary. 
Some of these embrace more than one of these characteristics. Let 
the student, as far as possible, classify the books according to the above dif- 
ferences. 

5. The great characteristic object of the whole collection : a revelation of 
Religious Truth from God to man. 



II. 

Prom the Creation to the Close of the Flood. 

Gen. i.— viii. A. M. 1—1656. B. C. 4004— 2348. 

1 The opening statement of the Sacred History. Gen. i. 1. 
2. Give in order the six formative periods, and what was done in each. 
Chap, i 

3 



4 BIBLE STUDY. 

3. The creation of man, the place assigned him, and the injunction laid 
upon him. ii. 

4. The Fall of Man and the consequence, iii. 

5. What promise here pointing to the Messiah? 15. 

6. Story of Cain and Abel. iv. 

7. Genealogy of the descendants of Adam and Seth. Names and ages 
of the six who lived the longest. Relation of Methuselah to ISToah. Was 
he contemporary with Adam, and how long before the Flood did he die ? v. 

8. The character of men as they multiplied, and the consequence, 
vi. 1—7. 

9. God's command to Noah. The dimensions of the Ark, in English 
measure, vi, 13 — 22. 

10. The story of the Flood, vii. 

11. The subsiding of the waters. The place where the Ark rested. 
The going forth from the Ark. God's promise, viii. 



III. 

From the Plood to the Call of Abraham. 

Gen. ix.— xii. A. M. 1656—2083. B. C. 2348—1921. 

1. The Divine Blessing, the Divine Injunction, and the Divine Cove- 
nant. Gen. ix. 

2. The sons of Noah. How many sons had each? x. 

3. Through which of the three sons came the Messiah? and through 
which of his sons? x., xi. 

4. Give an account of the confusion of tongues, xi. 1 — 9. 

5. Who was Abraham, and what was his character? Who were some 
of his ancestors? His birthplace? What important personages among his 
descendants? Give the account of his call, his journeyings, and the kind of 
life he led. xi. , xii. 



IV. 
From the Call of Abraham to the Birth of Isaac, 

Gen. xiii.— xix. A. M. 2083—2107. B. C. 1921—1897. 

1. Separation of Abraham and Lot. Renewal of the Divine promise, 
xiii. 

2. War of the confederates, and Abraham's rescue of Lot. xiv. 

3. God's promise to Abraham concerning his posterity. Remarkable 
character of this promise, xv. 



PATRIARCHAL AKD HEBREW HISTORY. 5 

4. Destruction of the cities of the plain. Abraham's plea for Sodom. 
Lot's deliverance. Give the story, xviii.,xix. 

5. What do you think of the character of Lot? 



V. 
From the Birth of Isaac to Jacob's Journey to Padan-aram. 

Gen. xxi.— xxviii. A. M. 2107— 2244. B. C. 1897— 1760. 

Abraham's character is one of the most interesting in the Old Testament 
history, or indeed in any history. He is among the few great men of all 
time. There is a majesty and dignity about him that is seldom equaled. It 
is all the more remarkable, from the fact that his situation is not such as to 
call into exercise the great energies of a great mind. The chief traits about 
him are his moral courage, his extraordinary faith, his profound religious 
convictions, all of which are evinced in his separation from his people, and 
beginning a wandering life among strangers; his generosity and magnanim- 
ity, as evinced in his conduct towards Lot and on other occasions; and his 
dignity of demeanor, and power to command respect, which we see in his 
intercourse with all the princes and great men with whom he came into 
communication. They instinctively honored him. He appears also to have 
been a man of large intelligence and extraordinary wisdom. That he was 
not free from moral infirmities is evident; and the scriptural account sets 
them plainly before us, as the Bible is wont to do. 



1. Age of Abraham at the birth of Isaac? xxi. 5. What great feast is 
mentioned, and what happened at the time? xxi. 8 — 21. The subsequent 
history of Ishmael and his race. xxv. 12. 

2. The offering up of Isaac, xxii. 2 — 14. What virtue did Abraham 
manifest here in a remarkable manner? Renewal of the Divine covenant, 
xxii. 15 — 19. How many times is this covenant repeated in the history? 

3. Death and burial of Sarah, xxiii. First record in history of the use 
of money. 8 — 16. 

4. Selection of a wife for Isaac, xxiv. Reasons for seeking one at such 
a distance, xxiv. 3. The account of the journey of Abraham's servant, and 
what occurred at the end of it. xxiv. 10 — 35. Departure of Rebecca, and 
I'he meeting with Isaac, xxiv. 58 — 67. 

5. Birth of Esau and Jacob. Difference in their character and style of 
life. xxv. 27. 

6. How Jacob, who was the younger, came to have the pre-eminence 
which belonged to Esau. xxv. 29 — 34. 

7. Isaac's sojourn in Gerar, and his false statement about his wife. His 
prosperity, and his trouble with his neighbors, xxvi. 



6 BIBLE STUDY. 

8. Esau's marriage, and its effect on his parents. Why was this? 
xxvi. 34, 35. 

9. Jacob's fraud upon his father and against his brother; his mother's 
influence, xxvii. 1 — 24. He is constituted the head of the family, and re- 
ceives the paternal and prophetic blessing, xxvii. 26 — 29. Esau's discovery 
of the fraud, xxvii. 30 — 36. Had Esau, who had bartered away his right, 
any real occasion to complain? Was Jacob's deception and general conduct, 
therefore, justifiable? 

10. The purpose to send Jacob to his mother's relatives, xxvii. 42 — 46. 
Twofold reason for this, xxviii. 1 — 9. 



VI. 

From Jacob's Journey to Padan-aram to the Selling of Joseph 
by his Brothers 

Gen. xxviii— xxxvii. A. M. 2244-2275. B. C. 1760—1729. 

1. Jacob's journey and vision at Bethel, xxviii. 10 — 17. The effect of 
this vision on Jacob. The beginning of his religious life. 

2. His arrival at Padan-aram, and what befell him there, xxix. 1 — 12. 
His sojourn with his uncle, Laban, the wages he was to have, and the fraud 
practiced on him. xxix. 15 — 26. 

3. The change of Jacob's wages and his prosperity by reason of it. 
XXX. 27—43. 

4. Jacob's departure from Padan-aram. Laban's pursuit of him, and 
the result, xxxi. 

5. Continuation of the journey. News of the approach of Esau, and 
its effect upon Jacob. His prayer and precaution against hostilities. The 
wrestling with the mysterious stranger, and the Divine blessing. The 
change of name and its signification, xxxii. 

6. The meeting with Esau, and its amicable result, xxxiii. 1 — 16. Ja- 
cob's further journey, and temporary settlement. 17 — 20. 

7. Jacob at Bethel, and the religious reformation of his household. 
XXXV. 1 — 7. The renewal of the Divine covenant. 9 — 15. Birth of Benja- 
min, and death of Eachel. 16 — 20. Names of Jacob's sons. 23 — 26. Through 
which of these did Christ come? 

8. Keturn of Jacob to his father. Death and burial of Isaac, xxxv. 
27—29. 

9. Esau's descendants, and their formation into a nation, xxxvi. 

10. Jacob's partiality to Joseph, and its effect on his other sons. Jo- 
seph's dreams, and what they indicated, xxxvii. 3 — 11. 

11. The plot of Joseph's brothers, and their final disposal of him. 18 — 
28. The report made to Jacob, and his great grief. 31 — 35. Joseph in 
Egypt. 36. 

12. How old was Joseph at this time? 



PATRIAKCHAL AND HEBREW HISTORY. 7 

VII. 

From Joseph's Arrival in Egypt to Ms Death. 

Gen. xxxix— 1. A. M. 2275— 2368. B. C. 1729— 1636. 

1. Joseph becomes tlie slave of Potiphar, the Egyptian officer. Finds 
favor in his sight, and is promoted to be steward of his house, xxxix. 1 — 6. 

2. Through the wickedness of Potiphar's wife, he is cast into prison. 
xxxix. 7 — 23. His experience there, and the remarkable incident which 
befell him. xl. 1—23. 

3. Pharaoh's dreams, and failure of his wise men to interpret them, 
xli. 1 — 8. Joseph sent for. His interpretation, consequent exaltation, and 
the success that came to him. 9 — 44. His marriage, and the birth of his 
children. 45—52. 

4. The famine. It extends to Canaan, and affects Jacob's family, xlii. 
1, 2. The sons of Jacob going down to Egypt for corn, and their meeting 
with Joseph. His conduct towards them, and their return. 3 — 38. 

5. Their second journey to Egypt, and reception by Joseph. His de- 
vice to try them, and their consequent distress, xliii., xliv. His final revela- 
tion of himself, and his sending for his father's family, xlv. 

6. Jacob's journey to Egypt, and his meeting with Joseph, xlvi. 1— ^29. 
The settlement of the family in Goshen. 30 — 34. Introduction of Joseph's 
father and brothers to Pharaoh, xlvii. 1 — 10. 

7. Continuance and effect of the famine, xlvii. 13 — 26. Jacob's old 
age, and charge to Joseph. 28 — 31. 

8. His final conversation with Joseph, and his blessing of Joseph's 
children, xlviii. 

9. Jacob's prophetic benediction upon his sons, and his death, xlix. 
1—33. 

10. The burial of Jacob in the land of Canaan, 1. 1 — 13. The appre- 
hensions of Joseph's brothers lest he should avenge himself on them for 
their former ill-treatment of him. His magnanimous conduct towards 
them. 1. 15—21. 

11. Joseph's last days and death. 1. 22 — 26. 



VIII. 
From the Death of Joseph to the Institution of the Passover. 



A. M. 2471—2513. B. C. 1533—1491. 



This period embraces nearly two-thirds of the life of Moses, one of the 
half-dozen most remarkable men that have ever lived. He was born of a 
Hebrew family while his people were slaves, and under an edict of the 
Egyptian king, which required every male child of his people to be put to 



O BIBLE STUDY. 

death. By a device of his mother, he was set afloat on the river in a little 
chest. Being discovered by the daughter of the king, he was adopted as 
her son, brought up as a royal prince, and instructed in all the learning of 
those times. His education, combined with extraordinary natural capabili- 
ties, made him a person of great power, skill, and executive ability. How 
he used these in the emancipation of his people, and their organization into 
a nation with a system of religion which has endured unto this day, and 
which would have been marvelous had it been only human, is shown in the 
sacred narrative. But more than this is given, evincing the revelation of 
God to this, his chosen servant. It is from this time that we begin to get 
some scattered glimpses of ancient history. It was about this age that 
Athens is supposed to have been founded, and Troy built; also Corinth, and 
perhaps Thebes in Bceotia. 



Exodus i.— X. 



1. Original number of Jacob's family in Egypt. Their rapid increase, 
and the apprehensions of the Egyptians. Exod. i. 1 — 10. 

2. The enslavement of the Israelites. Attempt of the Egyptians to 
prevent their increase, by slaying the male children. 11 — 22. 

3. Birth of Moses. His mother's device to prevent his being slain. 
His adoption by Pharaoh's daughter, and his education as a prince of Egypt. 
ii. 1—10. 

4. He becomes acquainted with his people, sympathizes with them, 
and takes their part. 11 — 14. 

5. His flight to Midian, and residence there. 15 — 22. 

6. Miracle of the burning bush, and God's revelation to Moses. Moses' 
call to be the deliverer of his people, iii. 1—22. 

7. Moses' hesitancy, and God's encouragement of him. Aaron, his 
brother, appointed to help him. iv. 1 — 17. 

8. Moses' departure from Midian. His meeting with Aaron, and their 
announcement to the Israelites. 18 — 31. 

9. Message to Pharaoh and his defiant tone. v. 2 — 4. The consequent 
persecution of the people, and the increase of their burdens. Their discon- 
tent. 5—23. 

10. God confirms his promise of deliverance, and sends Moses again to 
Pharaoh, vi. 

11. Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, and their miracle in his presence, 
vii. 1 — 14. T7ie first plague : the water turned to hlood. 15 — 28. 

12. Second plague. Its effect upon Pharaoh. Its removal, and the 
hardening of his heart, viii 1 — 15. 

13. Third and fourth plagues. Pharaoh's promise to let them go, and 
the violation of it. 16 — 32. 

14. Mfth plague, ix. 1 — 7. Sixth plague. 8 — 12. 

15. Solemn warning to Pharaoh. Seventh plague. Pharaoh's alarm. 
His promise, and its violation. 13 — 35. 

16. Eighth plague. Its effect upon the king. x. 1 — 20. 

17. Ninth plague. The wrath of Pharaoh. 21— 29. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 9 

IX. 

From the Institution of the Passover to the Giving of the 

Law. 

Exod. xi.— xix. A. M. 2513. B. C. 1491. 

1. The Lord's direction to Moses concerning the coming of the great 
and final plagne. xi. 1 — 10. 

2. Institution of the Passover. Meaning of the word, and its memo- 
rial character. A type of what? Description of the manner of its celebra- 
tion, xii. 1 — 20. Moses' direction to the people. 21 — 27. 

3. Destruction of the first-born in Egypt, and the consequent distress 
and terror of the inhabitants. Hurried departure of the Israelites, and their 
spoiling of their oppressors. 28—36. 

4. Their first journey. The number of the people, the manner of their 
going out, and the importance of the event. 37 — 51. 

5. Further instruction concerning the celebration of the event in the 
future. Continuation of the journey, and how they were guided, xiii. 

6. Pharaoh recovers from his fright, and attempts to recapture the 
Israelites, xiv. 1 — 10. The alarm of the latter, and their reassurance by 
Moses. 11 — 14. 

7. The miraculous passage through the Red Sea. The destruction of 
Pharaoh and his army, and deliverance of the people. 15 — 31. 

8. The song of victory, xv, 

9. Continued journeys of the liberated Israelites. Their apprehension 
of famine, and their murmurings. The miraculous supply of quails and 
manna. Directions concerning the gathering of the manna. Disobedience 
and its consequences, xvi. 1 — 36. 

10. Lack of water, and its miraculous supply, xvii. 1 — 7. 

11. First battle with a hostile nation. 8 — 16. 

12. Visit of Moses' father-in-law, and his counsel as to the method of 
governing the people, xviii, 

13. Moses on Mt. Sinai, and God's charge to him and the people. The 
awe inspired by the demonstrations about the mountain, and the evidence of 
the Divine Presence, xix. 



X. 

Prom the Griving of the Law to the Worship of the Golden 

Calf. 

Exod. XX.— xxxii. A. M. 2513. B. C. 1491. 
PART FIRST. 

1. The Ten Commandments, xx. 2—17. (To be committed verbatim.) 

2. The two divisions of the decalogue, (a) The first table containing 
duties growing out of our relations to God: fou?' commandments. 2 — 11. 



10 



BIBLE STUDY. 



(b) The second, containing laws growing out of our relations to our fellow- 
men: s?aj commandments. 13 — 17. 

3. How are these all summed up in the New Testament? Matt, xxii., 
37—39. 

4. Effect upon the people of these utterances of the voice of God. xx. 
18—21. 

5. Sundry civil and moral ordinances given to Moses for the Govern- 
ment of the Israelites, xxi.— xxiii. (a) What four offenses are mentioned, 
of which the punishment was death? xxi. 12—15. (b) What penalty for 
destroying an eye, a tooth, etc. ? 24, 25. (c) What restitution for stealing an 
ox or a sheep? xxii. 1. (d) What for other trespass or destruction of prop- 
erty? 5 — 9. (e) What three great annual feasts were the Israelites commanded 
to keep? xxiii. 14 — 17. 

PART SECOND. 

1. Account of Moses going up into the mount to meet God? xxxiv. 

2. Offerings for the tabernacle and sanctuary, xxv. 3 — 7. 

3. What three principal articles of furniture for the tabernacle are 
described in chapter xxv? 10, 23, and 31. 

4. The tabernacle and its enclosure, (a) The dimensions ( English meas- 
ure) of the enclosure or "court of the tabernacle." xxvii. 9 — 18. (6) Di- 
mensions of the tabernacle, xxvi. 15—22. (c) How was the tabernacle 
divided? xxvi. 33. (d) What was in each of the divisions? xxvi. 33—35. 

5. Whence, probably, came all the rich materials for the building and 
decorating of the tabernacle, and for its furniture? xii. 35, 36. 

6. The great apostasy, (a) The worship of the golden calf, xxxii. 
1 — 6. {b) Anger of the Lord. 7 — 10, (c) Moses' prayer, (d) Moses' discov- 
ery of the idol, and its effect on him. 15 — 24. (e) The consequence to the 
people. 25—35. 



XI. 

From the Setting Up of the Tabernacle to the Appointment 
of Men to go and Explore the Promised Land. 

Exod. xl. ; Num. i.— xii. A. M. 2514, B. C. 1490. 
1. The setting up of the tabernacle. Describe the divisions and the 
contents. Exod. xl. 

N. 




HEBREW HISTORY. 11 

2. The numbering of the tribes. Num. i. 19 — 46. Were all the tribes 
numbered, and why? Num. i. 47 — 50 and iii. 11 — 13. Did the numbers 
given embrace all the people of the other tribes? i. 45. 

3. How nearly did the numbers of the first-born males of all the tribes 
correspond with the number of the tribe of Levi? iii. 39 and 43. 

4. Arrangement of the host into camps, and the location of the general 
camps in relation to the tabernacle, ii. 1 — 31. "Where did the Levites take 
position? iii. 23, 29, 35, 38. 

5. The offense of Nadab and Abihu. Probable cause of their sacri- 
legious conduct. Lev. x. 8 — 11. 

6. The offerings of the princes of the tribes for the service of the tab- 
ernacle. What were the offerings of each? Num. vii. 

7. How long after leaving Egypt before the Israelites left the vicinity 
of Mount Sinai? Num. x. 11. What was the occasion of their long delay, 
and what had occupied the time ? (Last part of Book of Exodus, Leviticus, 
and the first part of Numbers.) 

8. What was the signal for the departure of the children of Israel from 
any locality, and what the signal of their encamping? ix. 17. When was 
their signal of departure given in the wilderness of Sinai? x. 11. How long 
was their journey at this time? x. 33. Moses' invocation at setting out, and 
the halting, x. 35, 36. 

9. Whither did they take their journey? Deut. i. 6, 7. What was the 
general direction? The character of the country? Deut. i. 19. 

10. A spirit of mutiny among the people, and the cause of it. Num. xi. 
4 — 6. How was the complaint met? 31, 32. Punishment of the people. 33. 
Allusion to this in Ps. Ixxviii. 27 — 31. 

11. What new feature in the government of the people was introduced? 
16, 17 and 25. 

12. Jealousy of Miriam and Aaron against Moses. The cause of it, 
and God's vindication of his servant, xii. The great characteristic of Moses. 
xii. 3. 



XII. 

From the Sending of the Spies to Explore the Land to the 
Invasion of Moab. 

Num. xiii— xxi. A. M. 2514^2552. B. C. 1490— 1452. 

1. Appointment of men to explore the country. Num. xiii. 1 — 20. 
Their journey. 21—25. Their report. 26—33. 

2. The effect of this report upon the people, xiv. 1 — 4. Remonstrance 
of Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. 5 — 9. The Lord's indignation and 
judgment against the people, and especially against those who brought back 
the evil report. 11 — 38. 

3 



12 BIBLE STUDT. 

3. The too late repentance and rash undertaking. 39 — 45. Beginning 
of the forty years' wandering in the wilderness. 

4. Three incidents of history during this period, {a) Punishment of a 
man for violating the Sabbath, xv. 32 — 36. (b) Mutiny of Korali, Dathan 
and Abiram, and their summary punishment, with the further fatal conse- 
quences, xvi. ] — 35 and 41 — 50. {c) The miracle of the rods. xvii. 

5. Death of Miriam, xx. 1. Who was she, and what have we previ- 
ously heard about her? 

6. Complaint of the people of lack of water. The miracle of the 
fountain in the rock. The fault of Moses and his condemnation. 2 — 13. 

7. Close of the forty years' wandering, and the preparation for the 
invasion of Canaan. King of Edom refuses permission to march by the 
direct route through his territory. 14 — 21. 

8. Death of Aaron, and the mourning for him. 23 — 29. 

9. The Israelites' journey around the land of Edom. xxi. 4. Murmur- 
ings of the people, and their destruction by serpents. The Brazen Ser- 
pent. 5 — 9. 

10 Continued journeyings toward the east of the Jordan. 10—20. First 
great battle, and beginnings of conquest and occupation. 21 — 25. Second 
great success, and acquisition of territory. 33 — 35. 



XIII. 

From the Conquest of Heshbon and Bashan to the Death 

of Moses. 

Num. xxii.— Deut. xxxiv. A. M. 2552—2553. B. C. 1452—1451. 

1. Alarm of Balak, king of Moab, and his device to thwart the Israel- 
ites. Num. xxii. 2 — 6. 

2. Character of Balaam. A worshiper of the true God— a prophet — 
but corrupt and mercenary. • 

3. The negotiations with Balaam. 7 — 21. How are we to reconcile 
God's permission to Balaam to go with the messengers, and his subsequent 
rebuke and condemnation. 

4. Account of Balaam's journey. 22 — 41. Balaam's prophetic utter- 
ances and the Divine overruling of his speech, and Balak's disappointment, 
xxiii. , xxiv. 

5. The Israelites lured into idolatry by their intercourse with the 
Moabites. xxv. 2, 3. The judgment of the Lord against them. 5—9. 

6. JSTew census of the tribes. Compare this numbering with the one 
at the beginning of the forty years, i. 46 and xxvi. 51. Compare also the 
numbering of the Levites at the different times, iii. 39 and xxvi. 62. What 
prediction was here fulfilled? xiv. 28 — 30, xxvi. 64, 65. 

7. Overthrow of the Midianites, and the capture of their land and their 
wealth, xxxi. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 13 

8. Request of the two and a half tribes to receive the portion of their 
inheritance in the receotly concjuered territory, xxxii. 1 — 5. Objections of 
Moses. 6 — 15. The pledge and contract and final consent. 16 — 42. 

9. Directions concerning the previous occupiers of the Promised Land, 
xxxiii. 51 — 56. Appointment of a commis>;ion for the distribution of the 
land, xxxiv. 16—29. 

10. Appointment of cities of refuge, and conditions which made them 
available, xxxv. 

11. Farewell discourses of Moses, (a) Recapitulation of their experience 
in the wilderness, and exhortation to obedience. Deut. i — iv. (b) Rehearsal 
of the Law, and injunction to keep it in spirit and in truth, v. — xxvi. 
(c) Sanctions of the Law; propiietic blessings and cursings, xxvi. — xxx. 

12. Writing of the Law and the sacred memorial song, and directions 
as to future use of them. xxxi. , xxxii. 

13. Farewell blessing to the several tribes, xxxiii. 

14. The vision and death of Moses, xxxiv. 

15. Give an estimate of his character. (See introduction to No. VI.) 



XIV. 
From the Death of Moses to the General Conquest. 

Josh, i.— xii. A. M. 2553—2554, B. C. 1451—1450. 

1. God's charge to Joshua, i. 1 — 9. The note of preparation. 10, 11. 
The tribes which have already received their inheritance on the east of the 
Jordan, renew their contract to render military aid in the subjugation of 
Canaan. 12 — 18. 

2. Expedition of the spies, and the aid afforded by Rahab. ii. 

3. Directions for the forward movement, and the miraculous passage 
of the Jordan, iii. The commemorative monument, iv. 1 — 8, 9, 20 — 24. 
What time in the year was this passage? 18. Effect of the approach of the 
Israelites on the people of the land. ii. 24, and v. 1. 

4. What great national rite was here renewed, and what feast was cel- 
ebrated? V. 2— 9 and 10. 

5. What miracle ceased? 12. Confirmation of the Divine promise to 
Joshua. 13—15. 

6. What is the meaning of the word Joshua, and of what other great 
name was it a type and synonym? 

7. The taking of Jericho. The supernatural element in it. vi. 1 — 20. 
Rescue of Rahab. 22, 23 and 25. The predicted curse on the rebuilders of 
the city. 26. Was this prediction ever fulfilled? 1 Kings xvi. 34. Distance 
of Jericho from the Jordan? From Jerusalem? 

8. The repulse at Ai. vii. 2 — 5. Its effect on Joshua, and the answer of 
the Lord. 6—15. The sin of Achan. vii. 1 and 16—23. The punishment. 
24—26. 



14 BIBLE STUDY. 

9. Conquest of Ai. viii. 1 — 29. 

10. What injunction of Moses was here observed? Deut. xxvii. 2, 3, 8, 
and Joshua viii. 30, 35. 

11. The confederation of the Canaanitish kings against Israel, ix. 1, 2. 
The device of the Gibeonites to prevent their own destruction. 3 — 17. What 
did the princes of Israel do when they found out the deception? 18—27. 

12. Discomfiture of the confederate kings. Extraordinary miracle con- 
nected with the great battle, x. 1 — 14. Execution of the kings. 16 — 27. 
Subjugation of Southern Palestine. 28 — 43. 

13. The northern confederation, xi. 1 — 9. Completion of the conquest. 
10 — 23. How many kings did Joshua conquer on the west of Jordan? xii. 
7-24. 



XV. 
From the General Conquest to the Death of Joshua,, 

Josh, xiii.— xxiv. A. M. 2554—2577. B. C. 1450—1427. 

1. Was the conquest described in the previous study a complete one? 
Josh. xiii. 1. What parts yet remained unsubdued? 2 — 6. 

2. What trijbes had already received their apportionment and where? 
8—12 and 15—32. 

3. The claim of Caleb, and the grant which satisfied it. xiv. 6—15. 
What gave him prominence at this time? 

4. Draw an outline map, and mark the prominent historical localities. 
XV., xvi., and xviii. 

5. How many and what tribes had not yet received their allotment? 
xviii. 2. What censure did Joshua utter against the people, and what was 
the effect? 3—9. 

6. What tribe after this first received its assignment, and where was it 
located? xviii. 11. What important cities were included in this portion? 
21—28. 

7. Give the remaining allotments, and point them out on the map. xix. 

8. The cities of refuge, their number, location, and the design of 
them. XX. 

9. Inheritance of the Levites; why omitted among the others, and how 
the omission was compensated. How many cities were assigned them ? xxi. 
1—42. 

10. The Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassites, who had been doing mili- 
tary duty, released from further service and permitted to return to their 
places on the east of the Jordan, xxii. 1 — 9. What event came near causing 
a rupture of the nation, and civil war? 10 — 20. 

11. Joshua's old age and final charge to the people. Exhortation to 
religious fidelity, and his prophetic warning, xxiii. Rehearsal of the Provi- 



HEBREW HISTORY. 15 

dential history of the nation, xxiv. 1 — 13. His solemn charge, his own 
choice, and his expressed fear for their constancy. 13 — 28. 

12. Death of Joshua and Eleazar, and their burial. Conduct of the 
people at that time. 29 — 33. 



XVI. 
From the Death of Joshua to the Birth of Samuel. 

Judges i.— Ruth iv. A. M. 2577—2831. B. C. 1425—1171. 

During this period, we have, in the line of contemporary secular history, 
the institution of the Olympic and Isthmian games in Greece, the Argouautic 
expedition, the government of ^geus and Theseus in Athens, the elopement 
of Helen, the Trojan war, the voyage of ^neas and his settlement in Italy, 
and the foundation of Tyre. 

PART FIRST. 

1. Character of the Book of Judges, (a) Fragmentary, (b) Unchrono- 
logical, (c) To a large extent the events are local and tribal rather than na- 
tional, (d) Still presenting a view of the character and condition of the 
people which is historically important. 

2. State of the nation, (a) Somewhat unorganized aad unsettled. 
ip) Destitute of any strong central administration of government, (c) Lack- 
ing the moral energy and religious spirit, and obedience to the Divine direc- 
tion necessary to the overc'"^'ng of the heathen nations in their midst. 
(d) Therefore frequently falling into their idolatrous customs, and becoming 
politically subject to them. 

3. Outline of the conduct and history of the people duiing this period. 
Judg. ii. 10—23. 

4. The First Apostasy and consequent servitude, iii. 7, 8. Who was 
raised up to be their deliverer and ruler, and how long did he govern? 9 — 11. 

5- The Second Apostasy and servitude. 12 — 14. The new leader and 
•deliverer. His exploits and the victory of the people and the long peace. 
15—30. 

6. The Third Apostasy. The subjugation by the heathen nation. 
'Character and resources of their oppressor, iv. 1 — 3. Peculiar character of 
the new leader. Means of regaining independence. Give the substance of 
the nanative. 4 — 24. 

7. Song of victory. Give two or three of the notable passages, v. 4, 
5, 20, 23. 

8. Fourth Apostasy. What nation now became the instrument of pun- 
ishment, and what was the condition of the people? vi. 1 — 6. The Divine 
^warning. 7 — 10. 



16 BIBLE STUDY. 

9. The call of Gideon. 11 — 26. Result of this call and its further con- 
firmation. 27—40. 

10. Account of Gideon's revolt and its success, vii. Singular test in the 
organization of his forces, vii. 2 — 8. Foreshadowing of victory. 9 — 14. The 
assault and its success. 19 — 25. 

11. Civil dissensions and punishment of refractory cities, vii"*. 1 — 9 and 
13 — 17. Discomfiture of the Midianite people and princes. 10 — 12 and 18 — 21 . 



PART SECOND. 

1. The career of Abimelech. (a) Murder of his brothers and usurpa- 
tion of the local government, ix. 1 — 6. (b) Jotham's parable and prophecy. 
7 — 20. {e) Dissension and disorder and civil war. 21 — 49. (d) Death of 
Abimelech. 50—57. 

2. Further relapses of the Israelites and the evil concequencoc. x. 

3. Story of Jephthah and the revolt against the oppiession of the Am- 
monites, (a) His early history and character, xi. 1 — 3. (b) Appeal of the 
people to him when in trouble, and his first answer. 4 — 10. (c) His demand 
of the Ammonites, and their reply and Jephthah's answer, (d) Jephthah's 
rash vow, the great victory, and the dreadful consequence of his vow. 

4. The Ephraimites again make trouble, and are punished for their 
folly, xii, 1 — 6. Other judges after Jephthah. 8 — 15, 

5. Samson's career, (a) His birth and consecration by his parents, xiii. 
(b) His marriage and the beginning of his exploits, xiv. (c) Give the chief 
incidents of his subsequent life and his death, xv. and xvi. 

6. Micah, the graven image, and the Levite acting as priest, xvii. Ex- 
pedition of the Danites, and their treatment of Micah. xviii. 

7. After the infamous conduct of certain Benjaminites rekted in 
chapter xix., what did the other tribes do? xx. 1 — 26. The contest and 
its results. 30 — 48. The subsequent sympathv for Benjamin, and the means 
of restoring the tribe, xxi. 

8. Give the outlines of the history of Ruth. Ruth i. — iv. Into what 
important relationship does this Moabite woman come to some of the chief 
personages of the Jewish race? iv 18 — 22. What other woman, a foreigner, 
is also supposed to have been a connecting link in the lineage of Christ? 
Matt. i. 5. 



XVII, 
From the Birth of Samuel to the Demand for a King. 

I. Sam. i.— viii. A. M. 2863—2909. B. C. 1141—1095. 

1. Chronology of this period, (a) Probably embraced within the forty 
years mentioned, Judg. xiii. 1. (b) Samson's life probably partly contempo- 
raneous with that of Samuel. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 17 

2. Continued domination of the Philistines. Their geographical posi- 
tion, and the part of the nation exposed to them. ( See map.) 

3. Meaning of the name Samuel. (Asked of God.) I. Sam. i. 20. 
Why was this name given? 

4. What vow did Samuel's mother make concerning him, and how did 
she fulfill it? i. 11 and 27, 28. 

5. Who was Eli, and what two offices did he hold? ii. 11 and iv. 18. 

6. Who assisted Eli in the discharge of his offices in his old age? 
Their character? ii. 12 and 17. 

7. Samuel's position in the house of Eli, and his character as a child. 
ii. 11 and 26. 

8. God's revelation to Samuel concerning Eli. iii. 1 — 14. The com- 
munication to Eli. 16 — 18. Samuel's reputation among the people? 20. 
Geographical signification of "from Dan to Beer-sheba?" 

9. Continuation of the Philistine war. Defeat of the Israelites. The 
ark of the covenant brought to the camp. Disastrous result, iv. 1 — 11. The 
calamity reported to Eli, and the consequence. 12 — 18. 

10. Effect of the presence of the ark among the Philistines, v. 

11. Return of the ark; incidents connected therewith, vi. 

12. Religious revival and reformation under Samuel's administration, 
vii. 1 — 6. Continued war, and defeat of the Philistines. 7 — 14. The govern- 
ment of Samuel. 15 — 17. 

13. The people's demand for a king, and Samuel's remonstrance. The 
Lord's direction to grant their request, viii. 



XVIII. 
From the Anointing of Saul to the Call of David. 

I. Sam. ix.— xvi. A. M. 2909— 2941. B. C. 1095— 1063. 

The beginning of this period marks a radical change in the civil consti- 
tution of the Israelitish nation. The broken and partially disorganized con- 
dition of the tribes, the want of civil discipline among them and the frequent 
religious apostasies indicated the want of a strong central government. A. 
monarchy would have been unnecessary for them, if they had been disposed 
to live together in obedience to the Divine law, under the direction of such 
religious teachers and judges as the Lord from time to time appointed. But, 
as it was evident that they would not do this, it was obviously better for them 
to be under a monarchy, than to go on drifting towards anarchy as they had 
begun to do. 

1. Who was Saul, and what kind of a man was he? ix. 1, 2. Give an 
account of his adventures just before his call to the kingdom. 3 — 14. The 
meeting with Samuel and their communication. 15—25. 



18 BIBLE STUDY. 

2. The anointing, ix. 26— x. 1. Samuel's predictions to Saul of the ex- 
perience of a day as the signs of a Divine appointment, and the fulfillment of 
them. 2 — 16. The public designation of Saul as king. 17 — 27. 

3. Saul's first exploit as leader of the people, xi. 1 — 11. His magna- 
nimity. 12, 13. Renewal of the kingdom. 14, 15. 

4. Samuel's rehearsal of history , his surrender of authority, and coun- 
sel concerning their future conduct, xii. What remarkable phenomenon in 
response to his words? Its effect on the people. 10 — 19. 

5. Continuation of the troubles with the Philistines, xiii. 1 — 8. Saul's 
first transgression, and the predicted penalty. 9 — 14. Scarcity of weapons 
of war among the Israelites, and the inroads of their enemies. 17 — 23. 

6. Daring adventure of Jonathan, and its marvelous success, xiv. 
1—16. Further effects of this assault. 17—23. 

7. Saul's injunction and imprecation. Jonathan's unconscious trans- 
gression. 24 — 30. The great victory. Tlie faintness of the people and con- . 
sequent conduct, and Saul's reproof of them. 31 — 34. 

8. Evidence of the Divine displeasure, and the investigation. 36 — 44. 
Why Jonathan was not slain. 45. 

9. Saul's success and prosperity. 47 — 52. 

10. The doom of Amalek, and the war against that nation, xv. 1 — 8. 
Saul's second transgression. Samuel's rebuke, and Saul's defense. 9—21. 
The condemnation and repentance. 22 — 31. 

11. The Lord's direction to Samuel concerning the call of David to be 
the future king. xvi. 1 — 3. The feast in Bethlehem and the quest of Samuel 
for David, and the anointing. 4 — 13. 

12. Saul's trouble, and the remedy recommended. 14 — 16. David sent 
for. His musical skill, and its effect on Saul. 17 — 23. 



XIX. 
From the Anointing of David to the Death of Saul. 

I. Sam. xvii.— xxxi. A. M. 2941—2948. B. C. 1063—1056. 

PART FIRST. 

1. Mention some of David's immediate ancestors. Ruth iv. 17 — 22. To 
what tribe did he belong? Who were some of the greatest of his de- 
scendants? 

2. The Philistine war. Gathering of the armies. I. Sam. xvii. 1 — 3. 
The giant champion's defiance. 4 — 11. Give his height in English measure; 
also the weight of his coat of mail and his spear's head. 

3. What was David's occupation? Give the account of his visit to the 
army, and what occurred on his arrival. 17 — 30. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 19 

4. Effect of the situation on David. His presentation to Saul, and his 
utterances in the king's presence. 31 — 37. 

5. Describe the going forth of David to meet Goliath, the combat and 
the conquest. 31 — 51. Subsequent events. 51 — 58. 

6. Beginning of the remarkable friendship of David and Jonathan, 
xviii. 1 — 4. David's situation in the service of tie king. His popularity, 
and Saul's jealousy. The attempt to slay him 5 — 12. 

7. His appointment to dangerous positions, under promise of being the 
king's son-in-law. Treachery, and further promise on condition of slaying 
one hundred Philistines. What did Saul hope from this arrangement? 
How many Philistines did David slay? 13 — 30. 

8. The king still more openly seeks the life of David. Jonathan's 
good oflQces in his behalf, xix. 1 — 7. 

9. David's continued success, and Saul's increasing jealousy. Attempt 
to slay David, and Michal's device. Finds shelter with Samuel. Saul's 
sending for him and finally going himself, and the result. 8 — 24. 

10. David still a fugitive. Interview with Jonathan, and plan of the 
latter to secure and furnish information concerning Saul's disposition and 
purpose. Covenant between the friends, xx. 1 — 23. Carrying out of the 
plan, and the result. 24 — 42. 

11. David's flight, and the affair with Abimelech the priest, xxi. 1 — 9. 
Goes to the camp of the enemy. His behavior there. 10 — 15. 



PART SECOND. 

1. Various persons resort to David, whom he forms into a company of 
which he becomes the chief. His disposal of his parents, and departure to 
a new locality, xxii, 1 — 5. 

2. Saul's trouble about David, and appeal to his friends. 6 — 8. Doeg 
the Edomite gives information. Saul's cruel vindictiveness in the punish- 
ment of Abimelech and his friends. 9 — 19. Abiathar escapes and takes 
refuge with David. 20—23. 

3. David's exploit at Keilah. xxiii. 1 — 6. Saul's continued persecu- 
tion. 7 — 15. Jonathan's interview with David, and his great magnanimity. 
16—18. 

4. David's betrayal by the Ziphites, his escape from Saul, and sum- 
mons of the latter to repel an invasion. 19 — 29. 

5. Saul's pursuit of David with an army. Opportunity of David to 
avenge himself. His generous self-restraint. His revelation of himself and 
his disposition to Saul. xxiv. 1 — 15. Saul's humiliation and confession. 
Recognition of David's future kingship, and the covenant made. 16 — 22. 

6. Death of Samuel, and the affair with Nabal. xxv. 1 — 12. David's 
angry purpose, and the mediation of Nabal's wife. 13 — 35. Death of Nabal, 
and the sequel. 36 — 42. 

7. Saul again pursues David, and again is at David's mercy. David's 
magnanimity and religious scruples, xxvi. 1 — 25. 

4 



20 BIBLE STUDY. 

8. Goes again to the Philistines. His conduct and his fortunes among 
them, xxvii. 1 — 7. Marauding excursions. 8—12. 

9. The Philistine war renewed, xxviii. 1—4. Folly and wickedness of 
Saul, and his condemnation. 5 — 25. 

10. David and the Philistines. Suspicions of the latter, xxix. 1—5. 
Dismissed by the king. 6—11. 

11. The city of David's residence destroyed, and his family and friends 
captured. His distress, and what he did. The pursuit, adventures on the 
way, and success of the expedition, xxx. 1 — 20. 

12. Dispute concerning division of the spoil. The decision, and estab- 
lishment of a permanent rule. 21 — 25. 

13. Last great battle of Saul. His discomfiture and death, and death of 
his sons. xxxi. 1—7. Triumph of the Philistines. Loyal conduct of the 
men of Jabesh-Gilead. 8 — 13, 



XX. 

From the Death of Saul to the Complete Establishment of 
David's Authority over the Whole Kingdom. 

II. Sam. i.— vii. and I. Chron. xi— xvii. A. M. 2948—2964. B. C. 1056—1040. 

The character of David is one of the most remarkable, even among the 
eminent men of the Bible. It was complex, and, in some respects, contra- 
dictory. In the previous lessons, we have had an account of his youth and 
of his early manhood. During these years, he evinced great native abilities, 
as well as a simple faith and a profound religious purpose. These qualities 
were greatly developed by the extraordinary experiences through which he 
passed in these early years. As we find him in the following lessons, he has 
several marked characteristics. He has, first, military genius of a high, 
order. Out of a partially subdued and demoralized people, he organized 
forces which, under his general direction, not only made the nation inde- 
pendent, but brought most of the neighboring tribes under wholesome fear, 
if not into subjugation. In the second place, he had great administrative 
abilities, — a genius for government. This, with his military ability, ren- 
dered him perhaps the most powerful ruler of his age, and extended his em- 
pire far beyond the previous boundaries of the nation, and made other con- 
siderable nations tributary. Thirdly, he was a man of remarkable intel- 
lectual and poetic power. His writings are among the choice treasures of 
Hebrew literature, and, even aside from their religious value, belong to the 
small class of writings destined to be valued in all ages. Fourthly, he was 
a man of not only lofty religious sentiments, but of profound and earnest 
piety. Fifthly, he was a man, nevertheless, of mighty passions and im- 
pulses, which, notwithstanding the restraints of his religion, now and then 



HEBREW HISTORY. 21 

broke through their limits and carried him into grievous sins and acts fraught 
with peril to himself and his people. His remorse and contrition over these 
are indicated, both in the narrative and in some of his Psalms. 



1. David hears the report of the battle in which Saul and his sons 
were slain. Punishment of the man who assisted in Saul's death. II, Sam, 
i. 1—16. 

2. The lament for Saul and Jonathan. David's remarkable dirge. 
17—27. 

3. The men of Judah anoint David as king, at Hebron. His message 
to the men of Jabesh-Gilead. ii. 1 — 7. 

4. Dissent of the other tribes, and appointment of Ishbosheth as king. 
Beginning of civil war. 8 — 17. Defeat and flight of the latter's army under 
Abner, and pursuit by Joab and Asahel. The latter slain. 18 — 23. End of 
the pursuit. 24—32. 

5. Continuation of the war, and David's success. David's family, iii. 
1 — 5. Quarrel of Ishbosheth with Abner, and desertion of the latter, who 
negotiates with David to bring in the dissenting tribes. 6 — 12. 

6. Conditions of the league. 13 — 16. Progress of the negotiations. 
Abner's reception by David, and his departure to effect the conciliation of 
his party. 17—21. 

7. Indignation of Joab at the situation. Abner pursued, brought 
back, and treacherously slain. David's grief and imprecation on Joab, 
22—39. 

8. Murder of Ishbosheth. His slayers, thinking to be rewarded, are, 
by David's order, put to death, iv. 1 — 12. The kingdom united under Da- 
vid. V. 1 — 5. Conquest of Jerusalem completed, and it is made the capital 
of the kingdom. 6 — 9; I. Chron. xi. 1 — 8. David's mighty men, and some 
of their exploits, I, Chron. xi. 9 — 47; II, Sam. xxiii. 8—39. 

9. David's prosperity. Invasion by the Philistines, and their repulse. 
II. Sam. V. 10-25. 

10. Removal of the ark. vi. 1 — 5, Disaster and admonition. 6 — 9. 
The ark with Obed-Edom, and the blessing to him. 10, 11. Its second re- 
moval, and arrival in Jerusalem. The joyful celebration. 12 — 19; I. Chron. 
xvi. 1 — 3. Appointments for religious service. 37 — 43. 

11. What Psalms are likely to have been composed for this occasion? 
cxxxii., Ixviii., xxiv. What passages in these obviously refer to this time? 
Give the grand refrain of the last. 7 — 8. With what Psalm does the song in 
I. Chron. xvi. in part coincide? 

12. The king's purpose to build a temple unto the Lord. II, Sam, vii, 
1 — 3; I. Chron. xvii. 1 — 3. David forbidden to build; the privilege to be 
granted to his son. 4 — 17. What explicit reason is elsewhere given for this 
prohibition? I. Kings v. 3; I. Chron. xxviii. 3. David's response and thanks- 
giving. II. Sam. viii. 18 — 29. 

13. Final subjugation of the Philistines, and conquest of the neighbor- 
ing nations. David's brilliant success in war. vii. 1 — 15. Chief ofiicers of 
his government. 16 — 18. 



22 , BIBLE STUDY. 



XXI. 

From David's Complete Establishment to the Close of Ab- 
salom's Eevolt. 

II. Sam. ix— xviii. A. M. 2964— 2982. B. C. 1040— 1022. 

1. David remembers his covenant with Jonathan, and shows kindness 
to the son of his friend. II. Sam. ix. 

2. A kindly embassy to the king of Ammon is received with suspicion, 
and sent back with personal insult, x. 1 — 4. David's indignation, and the 
terrible punishment visited upon the Ammonites and their allies. 5 — 19. 

3. David falls into flagrant sin, and attempts to conceal it by another, 
if possible, greater. The murder of Urijah. xi. 

4. The prophet Nathan's parable, and the Divine rebuke and terrible 
judgment, xii. 1 — 14. Death of David's child, and the conduct of the king. 
15—23. 

5. Birth of Solomon. Conquest of Rabbah- Ammon. 24 — 31. 

6. Amnon, David's oldest son, guilty of a great crime. The anger of 
the king, the revenge of Absalom, and his exile, xiii. 20—39. 

7. Joab's stratagem to bring about the return of Absalom, and its suc- 
cess, xiv. 1 — 24. Absalom's personal appearance. His family. His resto- 
ration to the king's favor. 25 — 33. 

8. He plots against the government, and cultivates the arts of popu- 
larity. Rebellion and insurrection, xv. 1 — 13. Flight of David with his 
family and his body-guard. 14 — 23. 

9. The king sends back the ark, which had been taken along in the 
flight. He also sends his friend Hushai to Absalom, to act secretly in the 
king's interest, and to counteract other counsellors. 24 — 37. 

10. Device of Ziba, who traduces Mephibosheth and obtains a reward, 
xvi. 1 — 4. Continued flight. Indignity offered to the king by one of the 
family of Saul. David's forbearance. 5 — 13. 

11. Absalom enters Jerusalem. Takes counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai. 
15 — 23, and xvii. 1 — 13. Shrewd and successful device of the latter. Word 
sent to David concerning Absalom's plans. 14 — 21. The two armies. Sup- 
plies for the king's troops. 24 — 29. 

12. The battle. David's tenderness for Absalom. Defeat of the insur- 
gents, xviii. 1 — 8. Absalom's death and burial. 9 — 19. 

13. The news carried to David. 20 — 32. His intense sorrow and pa- 
thetic utterances concerning his son. 33. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 23 

XXII. 

From the Overthrow of Absalom to the Death of David. 

II, Sam. xix. — I. Kings, ii., and I. Chron. xxi. — xxix. 
A. M. 2982—2989. B. C. 1022—1015. 

1. David's continued grief, and Joab's reproof, xix. 1 — 8. The return 
to Jerusalem. Incidents of Sliimei, of Mephibosheth, and of Barzillai, 9 — 
40. Jealousies and dissensions among the people. 41 — 43. 

2. Revolt of a party under Sheba the son of Bichri. Amasa, who had 
been Absalom's chief captain, is commissioned to organize the troops, but is 
delayed. Abishai and Joab ordered to pursue the insurgents. Joab slays 
Amasa. xx. 1 — 12. 

3. The rebellion crushed, and its leader slain. 13 — 22. Chief officers 
of the king. 23—26. 

4. A famine and its cause. The satisfaction demanded by the Gibeon- 
ites for the cruelty of Saul toward them. xxi. 1 — 6. The barbarous offer- 
ing to meet their demand. The touching devotion of the mother of a 
part of the victims. 7 — 11. Burial of the dead bodies with the bones of 
Saul and Jonathan, by David. 12 — 14. Exploits of David's mighty men. 
15—22. 

5. David's song of deliverance, xxii. With what Psalm does this sub- 
stantially correspond? Mention any passages in it which strike you as re- 
markable. 

6. David, through vanity and ambition, tempted to make a census of 
the military forces of his realm. Joab's remonstrance, and the king's per- 
sistence, xxiv. 1 — 9; I. Chron. xxi. 1 — 6. 

7. David's repentance. The Divine message through the prophet Gad. 
The choice of penalties. 10 — 13, The king's remorse and his prayer. Di- 
rected to build an altar to the Lord. The pestilence stayed. 14 — 25. For 
what did the locality of this altar afterwards become famous ? 

8. Old age of David. Attempt of Adonijah to usurp the kingdom. 
I. Kings 1 — 10. Had he any natural claim to the succession? (See ii. 22, 
and II. Sam. iii. 4.) The matter reported to David, and his directions con- 
cerning it. 11 — 35. 

9. Solomon anointed and acknowledged as king. The effect on Ado- 
nijah and his party. Solomon conditionally spares his brother's life. 38 — 53. 

10, David's charge to Solomon. Gives directions concerning judgments 
against certain persons, ii. 1 — 9. 

11, The particular charge concerning the temple. The preparations 
made, and the contributions of the people. I. Chron. xxviii., xxix. David's 
prayer, and grateful acknowledgment of the Divine goodness and mercy. 
I. Chron. xxix. 10 — 19. Sacrifices and rejoicings of the people, and happy 
inauguration of Solomon's reign. 20 — 25. David's death. I. Kings ii. 10; 
I. Chron. xxix. 28. 

12, Give some of the prominent points of David's character, (See in- 
troduction to No. XX.) 



24 BIBLE STUDY. 

XXIII. 
The Eeign of Solomon. 

I. Kings ii.— xi., and II. Chron. i.— viii. A. M. 2989—3029. B. C. 1015—975. 

The reign of Solomon comprises the most brilliant period of the Israel- 
itish nation. It might be compared, in some respects, with the Augustan 
age of Rome, or the age of Pericles in Greece; though, in several particu- 
lars, it differed widely from them. It was, for the most part, a time of pro- 
found peace, not only throughout the nation itself; but the neighboring ter- 
ritories, which, far and near, had been made tributary under the reign of 
David, remained subject to Solomon till near the close of his reign. It ap- 
pears to have been a time of extraordinary industrial prosperity, and, for the 
first time, we find the people engaging in a commerce which rapidly devel- 
oped to large proportions. 

Solomon, as well as his father, David, though in quite another way, 
must be set down as one of the marked men, not only of Hebrew history, 
but of all time. His intellectual endowments were extraordinary, especially 
for the age in which he lived, and the versatility of his genius was very 
great. While he had no opportunity to evince or cultivate, and probably 
did not possess the military talent of his father, his administrative ability in 
civil affairs appears to have been superior even to his. A man of great in- 
tuitive power, of remarkable insight into character, of comprehensive judg- 
ment and a very wide range of intelligence, he must hold his place in 
history among the great rulers of men. He appears to have been a man 
of reflective and studious habits, and, amid the overwhelming cares of his 
government and the multitudinous projects of improvement both in his pri- 
vate and in public affairs, he found time for extended literary culture and 
composition. The early part of his life was characterized by a marked and 
humble piety and communion with God. His own extraordinary prosperity, 
his foreign alliances, and especially his falling into that pernicious Eastern 
usage, which had been begun by his father, of maintaining an extensive 
harem and marrying many wives, at last utterly corrupted him, and led him 
into deplorable religious apostasy which brought disaster to his house. 

His reign was about three hundred and fifty years before the building of 
Rome, when Minos reigned in Crete, and Athens was governed by Archons. 



1. The party of Adonijah cause suspicions of conspiracy. The promi- 
nent men in it are put to death, or otherwise punished. I. Kings ii. 13 — 34. 
What predictions were fulfilled in the degredation of Abiathar and the 
punishment of Joab? I. Sam. ii. 31—36; II. Sam. iii. 39 and 27, 28. 

2. Restrictions of Sbimei. The violation of them, and his punishment. 
I. Kings ii. 36—46. 

3. Solomon's piety. His public and solemn recognition of God. His 
prayer for wisdom, and God's answer. I. Kings iii. 3 — 15; II. Chron. i. 1 — 12. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 25 

4. Eemarkable instance of liis practical sagacity soon after this. I. 
Kings iii. 16—28. 

5. Mention some of the chief officers of Solomon's government; his 
prime minister, iv. 5; head of religious affairs, 2; chief of the war depart- 
ment, 4; secretary of the treasury, 6. 

6. Describe the commissary department of the government, 7 — 19. 
Evidences of prosperity, both personally and politically. Mention some of 
Solomon's resources, 20 — 28; II. Chron. i. 14 — 17; and ix. 13 — 28. 

7. His intellectual endowments. I. Kings iv. 29 — 34, 

8. Account of the preparation for building the Temple. Treaty and 
amicable arrangements with the King of Tyre. I. Kings v. 1 — 12. The 
number of men employed in securing the materials, and the plan of labor. 
8—18. II. Chron. ii. 

9. The time of laying the foundation of the Temple. I. Kings vi. 1. 
How long before the building of Rome? About what period of Egyption 
history? Of Grecian history? 

10. Dimensions of the Temple proper? vi. 2, 3, 17; II. Chron. iii. 3, 4. 
What were the more costly materials, and what the previous preparations ? 
I. Kings vi. 7, 9, 15, 21, 31, 34; II. Chron. iii. 4—9. 

11. Mention some of the more prominent appointments of the Temple. 

I. Kings vi. 19, 20; vii. 15—21,23—26; II. Chron. iv. 1. Give the dimen- 
sions and capacity of the "brazen sea" or laver. I. Kings vii. 23 — 26. 
( A " bath" is equal to 8 gallons, 5-^ pints.) 

12. How long was the Temple in building? vi. 37, 38. 

13. Give some account of the dedication of the Temple. I. Kings viii. ; 

II. Chron. v. — vii. 

14. Evidences of public prosperity. I. Kings iv. 17 — 28; II. Chron. 
viii. 1—8. 

15. Visit of the Queen of Sheba; her surprise and admiration of Solo- 
mon's greatness and wisdom. T. Kings x. 1 — 10. Commercial prosperity. 
11—29. 

16. The fall of Solomon, and the sad close of his reign. I. Kings xi. 

17. What writings, supposed to be his, are contained in the sacred 
canon? What is the mournful refrain of the Book of Ecclesiastes, and how 
does it correspond with Solomon's career ? 



SECOND YEAR'S COURSE. 



HEBREW HISTORY, FROM THE REVOLT OF THE 

TEN TRIBES TO THE RETURN FROM THE 

BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY, TOGETHER 

WITH THE POETIC AND 

PROPHETIC BOOKS. 



BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 

SECOND YEAR. 

Smith's Old Testament Histoky. 

Geikie's HouKS with the Bible. 

Milman's Jewish History. 

Stanley's History of the Jewish Church, 2d and 3d Series. 

Josephus' Jewish Antiquities. 

Thompson's The Land and the Book. 

Stanley's Sinai and Palestine. 

Hutchinson's Music of the Bible. 

Sime's Kingdom of all Israel. 

Perowne's On the Psalms. 

Blakie's Manual of Bible History. 

Green's Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. 

Eawlinson's Herodotus and Egypt and Babylon. 

Palmer's History of the Jewish Nation. 

Birch's Ancient History from the Monuments. 

Eawlinson's Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament. 

Sayce's Fresh Light from the Ancient Monuments. 

Life of Elijah : G. Taylor, Lowrie, Krummacher, Edersheim, 

Macduff. 
Maurice's Prophets and Kings. 
Phelps' Studies in the Old Testament. 
Taylor's Daniel the Beloved. 
By-Paths of Bible Knowledge. 
Eand, Mc:N^ally & Co.'s Manual of Biblical History and 

Geography. 

28 



HEBREW HISTORY. 



I. 



FROM THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES TO THE ACCESSION OF ATTAR 
A.M. 3029-3071. 975-909 B.C. 

A CHANGE from the power, prosperity, and glory of the kingdom under 
David and Solomon, becomes suddenly manifest after the close of the reign 
of the latter. The new king, Rehoboam, attempting to keep up the magni- 
ficent state of his father, and to make the corresponding exactions, while 
being incalculably inferior to him in all those qualities which command 
respect, and so far forth enforce obedience, soon found a large part of his 
khigdom in insurrection and open revolt. The secession of the Ten Tribes 
under Jeroboam, and the erection of a new kingdom, left the royal family 
with only the powerful tribe of Judah, and the small tribe of Benjamin, — 
a small fragment of the great empire of David and Solomon. This civil 
dissension gave occasion to the previously subdued nations to abjure their 
allegiance, and still more reduced the power of the divided nation. From 
this time the decadence of the people was for many years constant and 
rapid, and they never again regained their previous prosperity. The part 
that went with Jeroboam fell into idolatry and religious apostasy, and so 
provoked the anger of God that their condition early became very miserable. 
The kingdom of Judah was more faithful to their religion, though there was 
also great wickedness among the people. 

The contemporary history of this period is mostly fabulous, and the data 
are very scanty. It is probable that Homer was born some time during these 
years, though the proof of this is by no means positive. 



KINGS OF JUDAH. 



Rehoboam 
Abijam 
Asa . 



B.C. 

975-958 
958-955 
955-914 



KINGS OF ISRAEL. 



Jeroboam . 

Xadab . 

Baasha 

Elah 

Zimri 

Omri 



B.C. 

975-953 
953-951 
951-927 
927-925 

925-913 



29 



30 BIBLE STUDY. 

1. Give the names of the kings of Judah during the period covered by 
this lesson. Of Israel. What changes took place in the line of the latter ? 

2. Who was the successor of Solomon? What occurred at the begin- 
ning of his reign ? Do you think Rehoboam acted the part of a prudent 
and sensible ruler? What was the result? 1 Kings xii. 1-16. 

3. How many tribes seceded, and how many remained loyal ? What 
course did Rehoboam pursue, and with what consequence ? 18-24. 

4. Who was made king over the seceding tribes ? Give some account 
of his previous history. 1 Kings xi. 26, 28-33, 40. 

5. What was Jeroboam's character, and what religious changes did he 
make ? xii. 26-33. What warning did he get from the prophet of the 
Lord, and how did he receive it ? What judgment followed? xiii. 1-6. 

6. Give an account of what befell this prophet immediately after this. 
11-32. 

7. What was the subsequent conduct of Jeroboam? 33-44. What 
affliction befell him? What did he do? What answer did the prophet 
make? xiv. 1-16. 

8. The moral and religious condition of Judah under Eehoboam ? 
21-24. What calamity came upon the nation ? 25-28. 

9. Who was Rehoboam's successor? His character? xv. 1-8. Give 
an account of the war between Judah and Israel. 2 Chron. xiii. 

10. Who was the next king of Judah ? What was his general charac- 
ter ? Give some of the incidents of his reign. W^hat were some of his 
faults ? 1 Kings xv. 9-24. 2 Chron. xiv-xvi. 

11. Who was Asa's successor? His character, and the character of his 
reign ? 2 Chron. xvii. 1 Kings xxii. 41-50. 

12. Who succeeded Jeroboam in the kingdom of Israel? How long did 
he reign? How did his reign terminate? What prophecy was fulfilled? 
1 Kings XV. 25-30. 

13. Who now usurped the throne? His character? What prophetic 
message was sent him? xv. 33; xvi. 7. Who followed Baasha, and how 
was the foregoing prophecy fulfilled ? 8-14. 

14. Who succeeded Elah? How long did Zimri occupy the throne? 
What events followed? The character of Omri, and the character of his 
reign? 15-28. 



II. 

JUDAH Ain) ISEAEL UNDER JEHOSHAPHAT AND AHAB. 

A.M. 3071-3107. 909-873 B.C. 

Under the reign of these two kings, both sections of the divided nation 
experienced a quarter of a century of peace with each, and, for the most 
part, of protection against the invasion of hostile neighbors. The two 



HEBREW HISTORY, 



31 



kings were remarkable men in their way. Jehoshaphat appears to have been 
a prince of decided ability, both in civil and military affairs. Under him, 
Judah prospered more than at any previous time after the death of Solomon. 
Ahab was also a man of no small power, and in many respects an efficient 
Tuler. But he was morally weak, and was disastrously influenced by his 
wife Jezebel, a heathen princess, a woman evidently of great resources, but 
audacious and unscrupulous in wickedness. The consequence was, that the 
king sanctioned and encouraged the most unrighteous public conduct, and 
was himself led into acts of gross immorality. It is true he was not desti- 
tute of occasional compunctions of conscience. There are indications of con- 
victions which, however, seem not to have been cherished. The nation sank 
into the most degrading idolatry and most abhorrent vices. The people 
suffered the judgments of God, but they never recovered their religious 
•character. 



KING OF JUDAH. 



-Jehoshaphat 



914-889 



KING OF ISRAEL. 



Ahab 



913-891 



1. How long did Ahab reign, and over which division of the nation? 
His character ? What source of powerful evil influence affected him ? 

2. What remarkable prophet suddenly appears during this reign? 
What judgment does he predict against Ahab and his people? 1 Kings 
2:vii. 1. Give some account of Elijah's experience during the drought. 
Fed by ravens. The widow of Zarephath. What miracle did he work? 
^-24. 

3. After this, what was Elijah told to do ? Whom did he meet ? Char- 
.acter of this man ? Give an account of his interview with the king. De- 
scribe the meeting with the priests of Baal, and the results, xviii. 1-40. 

4. Elijah on Carmel." The little cloud, the great rain. 41-46. 

5. Elijah's action reported to Jezebel, and its effect upon her? What 
-was the effect upon Elijah? What followed? xix. 1-14. On what impor- 
tant errand was he now sent? Incidents connected with this mission. 
Whom did Elijah call to be his associate prophet? 15-21. 

6. Give an account of the action of Ben-hadad, and the war that fol- 
lowed. XX. 1-21. Subsequent engagements and successes. 22-30. How 
did Ahab treat the conquered Ben-hadad ? Was this a wise leniency ? 
What rebuke did he receive ? 31-43. 

7. Give the story of Ahab's crime against Naboth. Who inspired this 
wickedness? What terrible judgment was uttered against both? xxi. 
1-24. What description is given of Ahab ? 25, 26. What was the effect 
of the prophet's denunciation? 26-29. 

8. What was the name of the king of Judah at this time ? How long 
did he reign ? xxii. 42. His character, and the character of his reign ? 
2. Chron. xvii. 

9. Give an account of his alliance with Ahab. What was the object, 



32 



BIBLE STUDY. 



and how was it encouraged ? What contrary prediction was uttered ? How 
did Ahab treat the utterer of this ? What was the result ? 1 Kings xxii 
1-37. 2 Chron. xviii. What prediction was fulfilled in the incident 
mentioned in 1 Kings xxii. 38? (See xxi. 19.) 

10. What message came to Jehoshaphat on his return from this war ? 
2 Chron. xix. 1-3. What points of excellence in his administration are 
mentioned? 4-11. 

11. What combination was made against Jehoshaphat? 2 Chron. xx. 
1, 2. What measures does he adopt ? The result ? How was the victory 
brought about ? The return to Jerusalem ? 3-29. 

12. What rebuke did he receive, and for what ? 35-37. 



III. 



FEOM THE DEATH OF AHAB AND JEHOSHAPHAT TO THE EXTINCTION OF THE 

HOUSE OF AHAB. 

A.M. 3107-3120. 873-884 B.C. 



After the death of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, both the kingdom of Judah 
and the kingdom of Israel entered upon a period of gradual, but more marked 
and rapid, decadence. This was more obvious in the case of the latter than 
in that of the former. The house of Ahab, by the increasing wickedness of 
his descendants, not only provoked the anger of the Lord against the family 
till the predicted curse was fullEilled in the extinction of that dynasty, but 
the nation had become demoralized beyond recovery. The kings of Judah, 
too, from this time, more frequently lapsed into idolatry, and thus brought 
mischief on the nation. Still the bad kings were less numerous than in 
Israel, and the evil consequences to the people were not as great. 

In the early part of this period. Homer flourished in Greece, and Lycur- 
gus governed at Sparta. Later, Carthage was founded by Dido. 



KINGS OF JUDAH. 


KINGS OF ISRAEL. 


B.C. 


B.C. 


Jehoram .... 889-881 


Ahaziah .... 891-889 


Ahaziah .... 881-880 


Jehoram .... 889-877 


Interregnum . . . 880-874 





1. Give an account of the reign and character of Ahaziah, son of Ahab. 
His accident, inquiry of a false god, meeting of the messengers with Elijah. 
The rebuke and prediction. The parties sent to bring Elijah, and the 
fatality attending them. The prophet's visit, and the death of the king. 
2 Kings i. 1-18. 

2. Give the story of Elijah's translation. The journey. Elisha's re- 



HEBREW HISTORY. 33 

quest. The taking away. Elisha's return and the search for Elijah, ii. 
1-18. 

3. Give the story of the bad water and the remedy. Of the wicked 
children and their punishment. 19-25. 

4. Who was the successor of Ah aziah ? His character? What serious 
event occurred near the beginning of his reign ? What measures did Jeho- 
ram take to remedy the evil ? iii. 1-7. What peril befell the allies ? Upon 
whom did they call for counsel? How did he meet them, and what did he 
advise ? AVhat was the result ? 8-27. 

5. Four incidents in the prophet's life, (a) The widow in distress 
relieved, iv. 1-7. (6) The hospitality of the Shunamite woman, her 
reward, and the miraculous restoration of the dead son. 8-37. (c) The 
poisoned pottage. 38-41. (d) The great multitude fed with small supplies. 
42-44. 

6. Give the story of Naaman. v. 1-14. What reward did he offer, 
and how was the offer received ? Of what bad conduct was Elisha's ser- 
vant guilty ? What was the consequence ? 15-27. 

7. Miracle of the axe. vi. 1-7. The Syrian war, and the miraculous 
aid to the Israelites through Elisha. 8-10. Attempt of the Syrian king to 
capture Elisha. The host smitten wdth blindness, led to Samaria, and 
delivered to the king. The latter not permitted to destroy them. 11-23. 

8. Siege of Samaria, and the great distress. 24-30. Elisha threatened 
by the king. The messenger baffled. 31-33. 

9. Elisha's remarkable prediction. The doubting officer, vii. 1, 2. 
Fulfilment of predictions, and the great deliverance. 3-20. 

10. Further incidents relating to the Shunamite woman, viii. 1-6. 
Elisha goes to Damascus. Sickness of the king, and inquiry by Hazael of 
the prophet. The answ^er and startling disclosure. 7-13. Hazael's mur- 
der of the king, and usurpation of the throne. 14, 15. 

11. Jehoram, king of Judah. How did he begin his reign? Whom did 
he marry, and what was the consequence? 2 Chron. xxi. 1-6. 

12. Revolt of Edom, which had before been tributary to Judah. War 
and conquest by Judah, but the Edomites not wholly subdued. Continued 
wickedness of Jehoram. Solemn warning from the prophet. Beset with 
evils. Personal affliction and death. 7-20. Ahaziah's wicked reign. 
xxii. 1-9. 

13. Jehu anointed to be king over Israel. Rejection of Ahab's house. 
2 Kings ix. 1-12. Revolution in the kingdom. Jehu destroys the whole 
house of Ahab as predicted Jehoram cast into the field of Naboth. Aha- 
ziah, king of Judah, being also of the family and sympathizing with them, 
is slain. 13-28. 

14. The end of Jezebel, and the fulfilment of the curse predicted. 
30-37. 



u 



BIBLE STUDY. 



IV. 



FROM THE OVERTHROW OF THE HOUSE OP AHAB TO THE CAPTIVITY OF 

THE TEN TRIBES. 



A.M. 3120-3283. 884-721 B.C. 

The civil disorders became, from this time, more frequent in the king- 
dom of Israel. There were great wickedness and demoralization. Conspir- 
acies, assassinations, and usurpations characterized a great part of this 
period. Yet there were also some symptoms of religious reformation. The 
prophet Hosea arose about this time, and preached powerfully and with 
some effect against the idolatry and general sinfulness of the nation. The 
style and character of his preaching are fully seen in the book of his 
prophecy, which should be read in connection with the historical narrative. 
Towards the close of the period, there was a manifest improvement in the 
morals of the nation, and in the character of the government. Probably 
the last of the kings was, in his general character, the best. But the cor- 
ruption had become too great, and the health and strength of the nation 
had become exhausted. In the Assyrian invasion, the nation is subdued, 
and the people carried captive. The Jewish kingdom is involved in these 
calamities, but to a less extent. 

During this period is the epoch of the Greek Olympiads. Rome, also, 
was founded by Romulus. 



KINGS OF JUDAH. 



KINGS OF ISRAEL. 





B.C. 




B.C. 


Joash 


. 873-833 


Jehu 


. 877-849 


Amaziah . 


. 833-804 


Jehoahaz . 


. 849-832 


Azariah or Uzziah 


. 804-752 


Jehoash . 


. 832-816 


Jotham 


. 752-736 


Jeroboam II. . 


. 816-775 


Ahaz 


. 736-720 


Zachariah 


. 775 






Shallum . 


. 775 






Menahem . 


. 775-765 






Pekaliiah . 


. 765-763 






Pekah 


. 763-743 






Hoshea 


. 743-734 



1. What was the principal condition of the treaty which Jehu made 
with the adherents of Ahab's family ? 2 Kings x. 1-7. Give an account of 
what he did to the worshippers of Baal. 18-28. 

2. Did Jehu maintain his character as a worshipper of the true God? 
What was the consequence ? What disaster befell the kingdom ? 29-36. 

3. What disorderly proceedings took place in the kingdom of Judah 
about this time? xi. 1-3. How was the royal line saved from extinction ? 



HEBREW HISTORY. 35 

4. Give an account of the counter-revolution. 4-21. 2 Chron. xxiii. 

5. How old was the new king? How were the offices of the kingdom 
administered with so young a ruler? What reforms were instituted, and 
what improvements made under the regency of Jehoiada? 2 Kings xii. 
1-16. 

6. AVhat change took place in the conduct of the king after the death 
of Jehoiada ? What flagrant exhibition of ingratitude did he display ? 
2 Chron. xxiv. 15-22. What disasters followed ? 23-27. 2 Kings xii. 17- 
21. 

7. Who succeeded Jehu? His character, and the consequences to the 
kingdom? 2 Kings xiii. 1-9. Give some account of the reign of Joash. 
The interview between him and the sick prophet. Death of the latter, and 
the miracle at his grave. 14-21. 

8. Who succeeded Joash in Judah ? His character, his military success, 
and his relations with Israel ? xiv. 1-7. 2 Chron. xxv. 1-12. 

9. Give some account of the remainder of Amaziah's reign. What dis- 
asters overtook him ? 2 Chron. xxv. 14-28. 2 Kings xiv. 8-20. Give an 
account of the reign of Jeroboam II. 23-29. 

10. Who now reigned in Judah? His character in the early part of his 
reign ? What disastrous change, and the consequences ? 2 Chron. xxvi. 
Who was his successor? Character and exploits of his reign? xxvii. 
2 Kings XV. 32-38. 

11. Give the main events in the kingdom of Israel from this time to the 
overthrow of the nation. How many revolutions and usurpations took place ? 
2 Kings 8-31 ; xvii. 1-23. With whom was the land re-peopled, and w^hat 
the effect? 24-31. 

12. Who was king in Judah at this time ? His character, and the char- 
acter of his administration ? How did he compare religiously with his pred- 
ecessors? What invasion and war took place, and what was the result? 
2 Kings xvi. 1-9. 2 Chron. xxviii. 6-1 G. How did this reign terminate? 
2 Kings xvi. 10-20. 



V. 

THE REIGN OF HEZEKIIH OVER JUDAH. 

A.M. 3283-3312. 750-721 B.C.. 

After the destruction of the kingdom of Israel, there were indications for 
a time of returning prosperity, moral as well as political, in the kingdom of 
Judah. Hezekiah's reign, which began six years before the event referred 
to, was characterized by integrity and uprightness on the part of both the 
king and his court, and many reforms were introduced or attempted. Still, 
the growing power of the Assyrian empire was pushing its encroachments, 
and pressing severely upon the nation, and, at one time, seemed about to 



36 BIBLE STUDY. 

destroy Judah as it had Israel. It would have done so but for the Divine 
interposition. As it was, the power of Judah was greatly diminished. Near 
the close of this reign, Babylon, for the first time, comes into noticeable 
relations to the Jews, by an embassy from that now rapidly developing power. 
To this embassy, Hezekiah, flattered by the attentions shown him, exhibited 
the resources of his kingdom, and the still remarkable treasures of the 
Temple ; for which indiscretion he was rebuked by the prophet. 

During this reign flourished the prophet Isaiah, a man of extraordinary 
intellectual and spiritual power, and perhaps the most eloquent of the Old- 
Testament prophets. In these days, also, Hosea, Nahum, and Micah 
preached and prophesied against the prevailing evils. 

At this time Numa Pompilius was king of Rome ; Babylon, just coming 
into historical note, was a viceroyalty of the Assyria of which Nineveh was 
the capital; Media had revolted from Assyria, and become independent; 
and Athens was under the rule of the Archons. 



1. Accession of Hezekiah, and his character. 2 Chron. xxix. 1, 2. 
Reforms introduced. Repairs of the Temple. The Levites exhorted. 
Purification of neglected rooms, courts, and implements. Renewal of reli- 
gious service, and appointment of proper officers, ministers, and musicians 
for this purpose. 3-36. 

2. Great preparation for renewed observance of the Passover. Invita- 
tions sent throughout the territory of their brethren of the kingdom of 
Israel. How the invitation was treated by some, and heard by others. 
XXX. 1-12. The memorable feast. Revival influence resulting in destruc- 
tion of idolatrous altars, and in the hearty devotion of the people. 13-27. 

3. Further combined efforts to banish idolatry. Regulation of the 
religious service, and its thorough re-establishment. Hezekiah's devotion 
and energy, xxxi. 1-21. 

4. What relic of former times and temptation to idolatry was destroyed 
early in this reign ? 2 Kings xviii. 4. Give some account of this object. 
Num. xxi. 5-9. 

5. New enterprise infused among the people. Prosperity and victory 
over some of their enemies. 2 Kings xviii. 7, 8. 

6. Invasion by the Assyrians. Hezekiah submits to their exactions, 
and pays large tribute, using the silver and gold, both of the treasury of the 
Temple and of its ornaments, to meet the demand. 13-16. 

7. Second invasion by the Assyrians. Hezekiah's preparations for de- 
fence, both within and without the city. He also re-organizes his military 
forces. 2 Chron. xxxii. 1-8. 

8. Siege of Jerusalem. Insulting demand of the officers constituting 
the Assyrian embassy, and their boastful threats. 2 Kings xviii. 17-37, 
2 Chron. xxxii. 9-19. 

9. Distress of Hezekiah. Message to Isaiah. The encouraging and 
assuring answer. 2 Kings xix. 1-7. Departure of the Assyrians for a 



HEBREW HISTORY. 37 

season, with threats of future vengeance. They return, and renew the siege. 
Isaiah's prophecy against them. 8-34:. 2 Chron. xxxii Their miraculous 
defeat and utter overthrow. 2 Kings xix. 35. 

10. Hezekiah's apparently fatal sickness. He is greatly afflicted, and 
prays earnestly. The answer through the prophet. The sign of the shadow 
on the dial. 2 Kings xx. 1-11. Isa. xxxviii. 1-8. Hezekiah's song of 
thanksgiving. 9-20. 

11. His subsequent prosperity and temporary worldliness. His peni- 
tence and piety. 2 Chron. xxxii. 25-29. 

12. Embassy from the king of Babylon with presents. Hezekiah's exhi- 
bition of his treasures. Isaiah's rebuke. 2 Kings xx. 12-18. Isa. xxxix. 
Hezekiah's death. 2 Kings xx. 21. 

13. Name the prophets of this reign. Contemporary history. (See 
Introduction to lesson.) 



VI. 

TEGM THE DEATH OF HEZEKIAH TO THE DEATH OF JOSIAH. 

A.M. 3312-3410. 721-623 B.C. 

The reign of Hezekiah was succeeded by a calamitous reaction in the 
condition of the nation. The reign of Manasseh, though longer than that 
of any other Jewish king, was, during a considerable part of it at least, the 
most wicked. There seems to have been no known abomination practised 
by any heathen nation, which, under his influence, was not imitated, if not 
excelled. As a consequence, the most terrible civil disasters ensued. The 
land was invaded, Jerusalem probably taken, and the king himself carried 
in captivity to Babylon. To all appearances, the end of Judah had come, 
as that of Israel had come thirty-five years before. But the timely and ap- 
parently genuine penitence of Manasseh, and the peaceable character of the 
Babylonian monarch, caused a restoration and continuance of the national 
life, though in a tributary relation to the conquering nation. Manasseh, 
after his return, undid much of the wickedness which he had committed, 
and introduced genuine reforms, though there was still a great lack of spirit- 
ual loyalty among the people. The reign of Amon was short and wicked. 
The advent of the child-king, Josiah, was signalized by a religious revival 
of the most marked character ; and this reign appears to have been, more 
than any other since David's time, characterized by the deep piety of the 
king, and a spirit of sweeping reform among the people. The consternation 
caused by the discovery of the Book of the Law, — probably the Pentateuch, 
— which had been neglected, and perhaps lost for centuries, with its plain 
statements of what was required of the people, and the terrible penalties of 
disobedience, appears to have had a wholesome effect. But the nation had 
too far gone in moral decay to be more than temporarily reprieved by this 



38 BIBLE STUDY. 

reformation. The prophets Isaiah and Nahum continue till about the be- 
ginning of this period ; and Joel, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk begin 
their ministry near the end of it. The northern Assyrian kingdom becomes 
subordinate to the southern, of which Babylon is the capital. It was the 
time of the Messenian war in Greece, of Pisistratus at Athens, and subse- 
quently of the ascendency of Sparta. In Rome, Tullus Hostilius and Ancus 
Martins reigned, according to the not very certain tradition ; and it is also 
supposed to have been the period of the Horatii and Curiatii. 



1. Who succeeded Hezekiah ? What can you say of his character? 
2 Kings xxi. 1, 2. How do the length and character of his reign compare 
with those of his predecessors ? What were some of the abominable things 
done by him? 3-9. 2 Chron. xxiii. 1-9. 

2. What warnings and what threatenings were uttered? 2 Kings xxi. 
10-15. What was the effect ? 2 Chron xxxiii. 10. 

3. What calamity befell the nation and the king ? 11. 

4. What was the effect onManasseh? The further consequence ? 12, 
13. 

5. What did the king do after his restoration ? 14-17. 

6. His death and burial. 20. What reason can you suggest why the 
account of this long and eventful reign is so brief and fragmentary, when 
there appear to have been very full details in the contemporary writings ? 
Also, why, possibly, he was not buried with his royal ancestors ? 

7. The short, wicked, and uneventful reign of Amon, and his tragical 
death. 21-24. 

8. Who was the successor of Amon ? What was there remarkable 
about the beginning of his reign ? General character of his reign. 2 Kings 
xxii. 1, 2. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 1, 2. Sets in operation a thorough and sweep- 
ing religious reformation. 3-7. 

9. Renovation of the temple, and restoration of parts fallen into decay. 
2 Kings xxii. 3-7. What important discovery was made, and what was 
done with it ? 8-10. What was the effect of the reading of this document? 
11-13. Of whom was inquiry made, and what information was given? 
Effect on the king and his officers ? What promise was made ? 11-20. 

10. What public meeting took place, and what was done? xxiii. 1-3. 
What followed? How far did this reformation extend? What prophecy 
was fulfilled? 4-20. (See, also, 1 Kings xii. 32, 33, and xiii. 1-32.) 

11. The great Passover celebration. 21-24. What high commenda- 
tion is given Josiah ? 25. Regulation of the Temple worship and service. 
2 Chron. xxxv. 1-19. Did these acts of repentance and reformation save 
the nation, and why ? 2 Kings xxiii. 26, 27. 

12. What invasion took place, and what calamity followed? 2 Kings 
xxiii. 29, 30. 2 Chron. xxxv. 20-24. The greatness of the mourning. 25, 
and Zech. xii. 11. 

13. The prophets of this period? Contemporary history? (See Intro- 
duction.) 



HEBREW HISTORY. 39 



VII. 



FROM THE DEATH OF JOSIiH TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM UNDER 

NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 

A.M. 3410-3445. 623-588 B.C. 

The death of Josiah marks the virtual conclusion of the independence of 
the Jewish kingdom. His successors were both weak and wicked. Under 
them, the nation became subject first to the king of Egypt, who captured 
Jerusalem and deposed the king; and afterwards to the king of Babylon^ 
from whose authority their abortive efforts to revolt brought upon them 
retribution, their final destruction and captivity. The records of these 
times are somewhat fragmentary and confused. But, besides what we find 
in the historical books, there are intimations and accounts of particular 
events in the prophets. The most noted of these was Jeremiah. He was a 
man of great probity, great faithfulness, and great power. In his preaching, 
he warned and rebuked the people for their sins so uncompromisingly that 
he offended the leaders, and was subject to cruel persecutions, though he 
compelled the respect of the less abandoned. During this period or near it, 
also, prophesied Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Ezekiel, and Obadiah. About this 
time Nineveh, the northern Assyrian capital, was overthrown, as predicted 
by Nahum the prophet. The Persian and Median monarchies begin to 
become conspicuous, and are soon after united. Draco, and afterward 
Solon, flourished in Athens. It was the time of the seven wise men of 
Greece, and of Tarquin the Elder and Servius Tullus in Rome. 



1. Who was Josiah's successor, and what was his character? 2 Kings 
xxiii. 31, 32. 

2. What national disaster occurred ? What change in the government, 
and under what condition? 33-35. Compute the amount of the trib- 
ute. 33. 

3. The reign and character of Jehoiakim. 36, 37. What celebrated 
prophet appears about this time ? His description of these last two kings, 
and especially of the public regard in which the latter would be held. Jer, 
xxii. 11-17, and 18, 19. 

4. His predictions of the Divine judgments. Jer. xix. 3, 4, 7-9, 15. 
How was he treated ? xx. 1, 2. His reply to his persecutors. 3-6. The 
solemn warning of the prophet in the temple-court to the princes and priests. 
They threaten him with death, but he resolutely persists. His death sought 
by the king, but better counsels prevail. Jer. xxvi. 

5. What further prophecy does he utter? xxvii. What remarkable 
prediction does he make about this time? Jer. xxv., especially vs. 11 and 
12. See also xxix. 1-10. Dan. ix. 1,2. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 21. 



40 BIBLE STUDY. 

6. What great invasion takes place, and what results ? 2 Kings xxiv. 1. 
2 Chron. xxxvi. 6, 7. Dan. i. 1-6. 

7. Subsequent conduct of Jehoiakim, and condition of the nation. 2 
Kings xxiv. 1-4. A great fast proclaimed about this time. Baruch reads, 
in the hearing of the people, the prophecies of Jeremiah written in a book. 
The princes hear of it, and ask for the reading to them. Report being 
made to the king, he hears it read, but destroys it. Sequences. Jer. 
xxxvi. 

8. Give some account of the reign of Jehoiachin (or Coniah). What 
calamity befalls the nation ? 2 Kings xxiv. 10-16. 

9. Who succeeds Jehoiachin, and what was the character of his 
reign? 17-19. Jer. xxi. His rebellion, and Jeremiah's counsel. 2 Kings 
xxiv. 20. Jer. xxix. 1-14. 

10. Give an account of the final catastrophe, and the condition in which 
the land was left. xxv. 1-21. 



VIII. 

INOIDENTS DURING THE CAPTIVITY. 
A.M. 3445-3497. 588-536 B.C. 

There is no consecutive history of the nation during this period. Still, 
from the fragmentary accounts, and the allusions m the prophets, we get a 
tolerably correct notion of what transpired. It appears that nearly all the 
chief men of the nation, all the skilled artisans, and the more desirable indi- 
viduals in all classes, together with the flower of the military forces, were 
removed from the country. The cities were depopulated, and the larger 
ones destroyed. The captives were placed in different localities, — a large 
proportion of them in Babylon and its vicinity, but many also in the distant 
provinces. The poorer and less influential of the people were permitted to 
remain in the land, and provision was made for their protection and govern- 
ment. But there appear to have been dissensions among them from the 
beginning, and mutinous quarrels were attended with assassinations. There 
had been for some time an Egyptian party; and this party after a time pre- 
vailed, and, against the warning and remonstrances of the prophet Jeremiah, 
they emigrated with a large proportion of the remnant of the people to 
Egypt, leaving the land more desolate and abandoned than had been in- 
tended. 

The people who went into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar appear to 
have been, for the most part, in comfortable conditions, though some of 
them were subject to hardships and serious persecutions. But the fact that 
they were captives, and that their land was desolate because of their disobe- 
dience and rebellion, wrought in them a desire to return, and made them 
penitent and contrite. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 41 

The great prophets of this period were Ezekiel and Daniel. The ex- 
traordinary visions of the former, and his exhortations and predictions, had 
a powerful influence in preparing the nation for its restoration. The narra- 
tives of Daniel form the minor historical incidents of the period, while his 
prophecies have a world-wide and far-reaching significance. 

The union of the Persian and the ISIedian kingdoms, forming the great 
Medo-Persian monarchy, is the great contemporary event. This issued in 
the defeat of Croesus, king of Lydia, and the end of his kingdom ; also in 
the overthrow of the Babylonian empire, and its absorption by the Medo- 
Persian. It was the age of Pisistratus in Athens, and of Servius Hostilius 
in Rome. Thales, Anaximander, and ^sop flourished in these days. 



1. What arrangement did Nebuchadnezzar make for the government 
of the remnant left in Judah ? 2 Kings xxv. 22-24. 

2. How was this appointment apparently received by the chief men who 
were left in Judah? Jer. xl. 7, 8. What counsel did Gedaliah give them? 
9,10- What other parties gathered to him? 10-12. 

3. What suspicions were excited concerning some of these men, and how 
did Gedaliah regard the matter ? 13-16. 

4. How did this alliance eventuate? xli. 1—3. What further outrages 
were committed by the insurgents ? 4-10. 

5. What counter-revolution took place? 11-15. Where did the re- 
covered remnant settle, and for what reason ? 16-18. 

6. To whom did the leaders go for advice, and what did they promise ? 
xlii. 1-6. What counsel and warning did he give them ? 7-18. What did 
he say about their insincerity, and the punishment of it ? 19-22. 

7. How did they receive this message, and what did they do? xliii. 
1-7. What did Jeremiah predict ? 8-13. 

8. Can you mention any other events which belong to this period? 
j(See Daniel, Esther, etc.) 



IX. 

PEOM THE DECEEE OF OTEUS, PERMITTINa THE EETURN FROM THE 
CAPTIVITY, TO THE CLOSE OF EZRA'S OFFICIAL MISSION. 

A.M. 3468-3547. 536-457 B.C. 

The prophet Jeremiah had predicted, about the beginning of the reign of 
Jehoiakim, 610 B.C., that the people of Judah should be carried captive to 
Babylon, and that their captivity should last seventy years. Though the 
destruction of Jerusalem did not occur till some twenty years after this, yet 
the fact, that, in the three or four years from the utterance of this prediction, 
^Nebuchadnezzar conquered the Jews, and began to send many of the people 



42 BIBLE STUDY. 

to Babylon, makes it evident that the period is to be reckoned from this 
point, or about 606 B.C. We have, in this lesson, the notice of the comple- 
tion of the seventy years; the proclamation of the Persian king, now sover- 
eign of Babylon and all its dependencies ; and the account of the return of 
the first instalment of the children of the captivity, comprising about fifty 
thousand persons. We have the history of the restoration of their worship, 
and the building of the temple, with the opposition and malicious interrup- 
tions to which they were subject. The record is broken, and not continuous. 
After the completion of the temple, there is an interval of nearly sixty years, 
of which we have no information. Then there is an account of Ezra's jour- 
ney with two thousand men, and the regulations and reformation introduced 
by him as governor or viceroy of the king of Persia. It is evident that there 
was no intention of restoring the independence of the nation. It was, and 
for many years continued to be, a province of the Persian empire. The his- 
tory closes abruptly, and is not resumed again till many years afterward in 
the Book of Nehemiah. 

To this period unquestionably belong the incidents recorded in the Book 
of Esther. (See No. XI.) It seems to be given to exhibit and illustrate the 
fact, that, while a small proportion only of the Jews returned to Palestine, 
there were multitudes scattered abroad throughout the countries of the Gen- 
tiles, and in various provinces of the Persian empire, preserving their distinct 
nationality, and keeping up their religious observances. We get from this 
a pretty fair idea of the relation of the Jews to the other nations, and learn 
from it that, though in exile, they usually enjoyed a good degree of freedom. 

It is believed by a large number of the best authorities, that the King 
Ahasuerus, who is so conspicuous in this narrative, was the Xerxes whose 
invasion of Greece resulted so disastrously. It was in this invasion that oc- 
curred the battle of Thermopylae, and that of Salamis, and the defeat of the 
Persians at Plataea and Mycale. The scriptural narrative has reference to 
a time subsequent to the return of Xerxes. 

Within this period, embracing nearly a century, lived many noted histori- 
cal characters, — Confucius, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, Sophocles, Miltiades, and 
Cimon, and, later, Pericles. Great events, too, took place, — the overthrow 
of Tarquin the Proud in Rome, and the establishment of the Roman republic, 
and the battle of Marathon. Among the Jews, Zechariah and Haggai were 
the prophets. 



1. What important event took place soon after the conquest of Baby- 
lon by the Medes and Persians, which greatly effected the fortunes of the 
Jewish people ? Ezra i. 1. Who issued the proclamation, and what was 
its purport? i. 1-4. Its effect? 5, 6. Did the king do any .thing else to 
further this object? 7-11. 

2. What does the catalogue of names in Ezra ii. represent? How many 
were there in all? 64-67. (See Introduction.) What further aid was 
furnished towards the enterprise ? 68, 69. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 43 

3. "What took place a few months after the return ? iii. 1-7. What in 
the second year ? 8-11. How were some of the people affected ? 12, 13. 

4. What trouble arose, and from what source ? What followed on this 
account ? What was the effect on the Persian government, and on the plans 
of the Jews ? How long was the work delayed ? iv. 1-24. 

5. What prophets exercised their office in these times? v. 1. What 
influence did they exert? Zech. i. 1-6; iv. 1-10, etc. Hag. i. 1-11; ii. 
1-9. The effect? Ezra v. 2. 

6. Conduct of the enemies? 3-6. What did they do further? 6, 7- 
Purport of the letter ? 8-17. 

7. Action of the Persian government? What was the result? vi. 1-6. 
Commandment of the king to the intermeddlers ? 7-12. 

8. What was the consequence ? Give some account of the festivities at 
the completion of the temple. 13-22. 

9. How long a period elapses here without any record ? (Introduction.) 
Give an account of appointment of Ezra, and commission given him by the 
king. vii. 1-20. What further orders were given by the king ? 21-26. 

10. W^h at was the number of men? (Introduction.) Where did they 
gather, and what was done there ? viii. 15-23. Mention some of the treas- 
ures collected. 24-27. W^hat was done on the arrival at Jerusalem? 
31-36. 

11. What condition of affairs did Ezra find at Jerusalem? ix. 1,2. 
How did it affect him ? 3-11. What did he do ? 12, 13. 

12. Effect upon the people ? x. 1-4. What was done? 5-19. 



X. 

THE STORY OF ESTHER. 
A.M. 3468-3547. 536-457 B.C. 



1. In the Book of Esther, what remarkable story is told of the Persian 
king and his queen? Esth. i. With what king in profane history is 
Ahasuerus supposed to be identical ? (See Introduction to No. IX.) 

2. Who was Esther, and what wonderful experience came to her? ii. 
1-20. AVho was her guardian and counsellor in this matter ? 

3. AVhat animosity was felt by the king's prime minister against Mor- 
decai? The cause of it? What plan of revenge was devised by Haman ? 
iii. Effect on Mordecai and the Jews? iv. 1-3. 

4. Give an account of Mordecai's communication with Esther on this 
subject. What difficulties were in the way of Esther's influence ? How did 
the struggle in her mind result ? Give the account of her meeting with the 
king, and what followed. 4-17. Effect on Haman, and the advice of his 
wife ? V. 



44 BIBLE STUDY. 

5. Give an account of the reward of Mordecai for the service previously 
rendered the king. The advice of Haman, and his terrible humiliation, vi. 

6. What was the final outcome of all this ? vii.-x. 



XI. 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF NEHEMIAH. 
A.M. 3545-3547. 446-434 B.C. 

Between the period embraced in the last lesson and the beginning of the 
present, there is an interim of about ten or twelve years. The main topic 
of the treatise of Nehemiah is the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. 
Connected with this, is an account of the bitter opposition of the Samaritans 
and the neighboring tribes, and of the moral disorders prevailing among the 
Jews. The Babylonian captivity appears to have entirely cured the nation 
of its idolatrous proclivities. The evil tendency now was to amalgamate 
with the tribes surrounding them, and thus by intermarriage to obliterate 
the distinct and peculiar Jewish nationality. The chosen people would 
have thus been reduced to the conditions of the mongrel tribes now inhabit- 
ing the old Israelitish territory at the north of them, and the idea of a the- 
ocratic government would have been done away. It appears to have been 
the Divine intention not so much now to restore the political independence 
of the Jews, as to preserve the pure national stock with their religious 
economy intact as a continuance of that preparation for the coming of the 
Messiah which had been going on from the beginning. 

It was with this motive that both Ezra and Nehemiah exerted themselves 
so strenuously against the admission of aliens, and the intermarriage with 
Gentiles. To this end, it was necessary to make Jerusalem the religious 
capital of the race, and to both rebuild the temple, and fortify the city with 
walls. 

The period of the present lesson covers only about twelve years, and 
concludes the sacred annals of the Jewish people. After this time, as we 
learn from secular history, the Jews were still subject to the Persian empire 
until the conquest of Alexander about a century later, when they came 
under his dominion. After the breaking up of his empire, it fell by turns 
under the sway of the Seleucian kings of Syria and the Egyptian Ptolemies. 
There were various revolts, and attempts at independence. In one of these, 
the Jews were conquered by Antiochus the Great, and subsequently by 
Antiochus Epiphanes, who committed various acts of abominable cruelty. 
After this came an heroic period, in which the Maccabsean or Asmonsean 
family flourished, and performed extraordinary exploits, achieving for a 
brief period actual independence, and some national prosperity. About 
63 B.C., Judaea became a Roman province. Twenty years later Herod was 
made king, though his kingdom was tributary to the Romans. It was under 
this king that the advent of our Saviour took place. 



HEBREW HISTORY. 45 

Xehemiah's mission to Jerusalem, and administration of the government 
there, was under the reign of the Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus. It 
was about the time of Cincinnatus and the Decemviri in Rome. It was the 
time of the acme of Grecian civilization, when Pericles yet ruled at Atliens ; 
the time of Socrates, the greatest of philosophers ; of Euripides and Aris- 
tophanes, great dramatists ; of Phidias, the noted painter ; and Thucydides, 
the historian. It was also the period of the Peloponnesian war. 



1. What important personage now appears in the Jewish history? 
Where was he, and in what situation ? Xeh. i. 1-11 ; ii. 1. How long was 
this after the events of the last lesson? (Introduction.) 

2. What report came to Nehemiah concerning matters in Judsea ? 
Xeh. i. 1-3. What was the effect upon him ? What did he do? 4-11. 

3. Xehemiah's communication with the king, and its result? ii. 1-8. 
What occurred on the journey? 9-11. 

4. What survey did he make, and what did he ascertain ? 12-16. 
What did he counsel the people to do? How did the enterprise affect their 
hostile neighbors ? 17-20. 

5. What impression does the account of the workers and the division 
of labor give you of the general interest in the cause ? iii. 

6. What hostilities and opposition were incurred? Give an account of 
the measures resorted to by enemies, and the precautions taken, iv. 1-23. 

7. Of what moral improprieties were many among the higher classes 
accused? v. 1-5.. How did Nehemiah treat the case? Reformation of 
these abuses. 6-19. 

8. What was done by the hostile Gentile chiefs to hinder the work ? 
vi. 1-10. What treachery manifested itself? Did this permanently pre- 
vent the carrying out of the enterprise ? 12-19. 

9. Give an account of the re-organization of the government, vii. 1-5. 
What follows? 6-73. What was the number ? 

10. What public meeting took place, and for what purpose ? Who was 
the reader and expounder ? viii. 1-8. How was the occasion celebrated ? 
9-12. What new festival was established ? 13-18. 

11. What took place still later in the same month? ix. 1-3. Give 
some account of the exercises. What were some of the topics of the prayer 
offered ? What covenant was made ? 4-38. 

12. What were some of the provisions of the covenant? x. 29-39. 

13. What arrangements were made for re-peopling Jerusalem ? Assign^ 
ment of work ? xi. and xii. 

14. What abuses and disorders were subsequently developed ? xiii. 1-5. 
Where was Xehemiah at this time ? 6. What did he do on his return? 
7-9. What other sins did he rebuke ? 10-32. 

15. Give a brief account of the subsequent history of the Jews to the 
time of Christ. Contemporary events. (Introduction.) 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 



THE BOOK OF JOB. 



This has been supposed to be one of the most ancient of all existing 
writings in any language. It is thought by many to be prior even to a por- 
tion of the Pentateuch. But the best recent authorities place it some- 
what later. Its author is unknown. The narrative comprises only a 
small part of the book, and is a very simple story, though containing 
some remarkable incidents. Briefly, it is the history of a man of superior 
mental endowments, of lofty moral sentiments and godly life, who had also 
been greatly prospered in his temporal relations. It had been insinuated by 
the great adversary of human souls, that Job's piety was of a mercenary 
kind, prompted only by the motive that it would give him worldly advan- 
tage. It was the sneering intimation, heard sometimes even in our day, that 
there is no such thing as disinterested goodness, and that every man is 
virtuous only so far as virtue is likely to pay. To refute this low and un- 
worthy theory, seems to have been one of the great objects of the book. 
Another object was to show, that, contrary to the popular notion then and 
sometimes since prevailing, worldly prosperity is not always in proportion 
to moral goodness, nor is adversity any sure indication of wickedness on the 
part of its victim. 

It is upon this latter point that Job's three friends differ from him, and 
the larger part of the book is taken up with its discussion. They insist that 
he must have been guilty of some wickedness, or these afflictions would 
not have come upon him. He vindicates himself from this aspersion; and, 
though sorely perplexed and despondent because of God's dealings with 
him, asserts his integrity, and avows his faith in God to the last extrem- 
ity. " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Still, Job's language 
at various points seems to i'mply that he regards God as somehow dealing 
unjustly with him. Doubtless this is the " cry of the human," in its pain 
and anguish, and its necessary ignorance of the ways of God. 

Of the twenty-nine chapters comprising the discussion between Job and 
his accusing friends, Eliphaz, who is the leading speaker on the adverse 
side, takes up four, Bildad three, and Zophar two. The other twenty are 

49 



oO BIBLE STUDY. 

occupied by Job. Elihu, who appears to have- been a younger man than the 
others, listens with respectful silence till his elders have concluded, and then 
speaks at length on the subject under discussion. He frankly rebukes Job 
for so justifying himself as to imply an impeachment of the Divine justice : 
and is, at the same time, indignant at the three friends that they have failed 
to answer him. In this discourse, more than in the utterances of the others, 
there are gleams of a clearer light, and tokens of a higher faith, — an actual, 
though vague, discernment of the disciplinary nature of temporal afflictions, 
and a confidence, that, in some way which could not then be understood, the 
Divine Wisdom would so determine things that those which now appear to 
be evil would result in good to the believing and obedient soul. 

The four chapters which contain the utterances of the voice of God, set 
forth in sublime language the Divine greatness and power and wisdom and 
excellence, and show how little competent man is to understand God's ways, 
or to judge concerning his acts. 



1. The antiquity of the book. General character of Job. The two 
leading objects of the book. Names of the persons represented in it, and 
the parts taken by them. (Introduction.) 

2. The story of Job. (a) In what part of the world is it laid? (h) Job's 
temporal condition ? (c) His family ? (d) Satan's accusation, and its im- 
plied meaning ? (e) The first affliction ? Did his faith fail, or his piety 
diminish? What did he say in view of his losses? i. 21. (/) The second 
calamity, and how he received it? ii. 7-10. 

3. For what purpose did Job's friends come to him? How long did 
they sit with him, and in what manner? ii. 11-13. 

4. How large a part of the conversation that ensued is taken up by the 
three friends respectively ? What cause is assigned by them for Job's afflic- 
tions? Is their theory of human sorrow a correct one? How does Job 
defend himself ? Is he wholly correct in his view of the situation ? What 
excuse can be made for some of his utterances? (Introduction.) 

5. The reason of Elihu's long silence ? xxxii. 6. What is his feeling, 
in view of the discussion ? xxxii. 2, 3. In what respect are bis views bet- 
ter than those of the others, and how does he differ from them ? (Introduc- 
tion.) What do you hold to be the true doctrine of which Elihu seems to 
catch some glimpses ? 

6. Who is the chief speaker in the last chapters of the book? The 
nature of the utterances, and the teachings implied ? The character of the 
writings in these chapters? 

7. What is the nature of the writing of the principal parts of the book? 
The character of the poetry ? Let each student bring in any passages which 
strike him as remarkable either for their imagery or sentiment. 

8- The condition of Job in his last days? Whose part in the controversy 
did God most condemn ? 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS, 51 

n. 

THE PSALMS. 

This is the largest collection of Hebrew poetry now in existence. It is 
also one of the most remarkable poetical collections in the world. It does 
not, as we are apt to judge, belong to any one period of Hebrew history ; 
though the larger part of it may doubtless be assigned to a period about 
1050 to 990 B.C. But the remainder ranges from about 1500 to 450 B.C. 
The popular opinion ascribes the entire authorship to David ; but, though 
probably considerably more than half of the psalms are his, it is nearly certain 
that a large proportion of them were due to other authors, both before and 
after the time of the royal poet. One bears the name of Moses ; others, of 
Asaph and the sons of Korah ; while others still have been ascribed to Heze- 
kiah and to his successors. The final collection and arrangement was prob- 
ably made by Ezra about 450 B.C. 

Formerly, there were five divisions, or books, of which the following is 
the plan : — 

1. Psalms almost entirely of David's composition, embracing i.-xli. 

2. Those apparently in the main by the sons of Korah, though several 
of these also were by David : xlii.-lxxii. 

3. Compositions principally by Asaph : Ixxiii.-lxxxix. There are rea- 
sons for believing that many of these psalms were composed about the time 
of Hezekiah. 

4. This book comprises the remainder of those written before the Cap- 
tivity : xc.'-cvi. 

5. The last book is made up of those songs which pertain to the Cap- 
tivity and the return from it : cvii.-cl. They are mostly anonymous, and, 
like the fourth book, are liturgic in style. 

Indications of an original and intentional division of this kind are seen 
in the peculiar form of doxology used at the end of the several terminal 
Psalms of the respective books. 

The psalms may be grouped, again, according to their different objects 
or kinds, as follows : — 

1. Hymns of praise : viii., xviii., xix., civ., cxlv., cxlvii., etc. 

2. National hymns : Ixxviii., cv., cvi , cxiv., etc. 

3. Temple hymns, or psalms for public worship: xv., xxiv., Ixxxvii., 
etc. 

4. Hymns relating to trial and calamity: ix., xxii., Iv,, Ivi., cix., etc. 

5. Messianic psalms : ii., xvi., xl., Ixxii., ex., etc. 

6. Hymns of general religious character: xc, cxxxix., xci., cxxi., 
cxxvii. 

The chief general characteristics of these writings are, — 

1. Lyric poetry. 2. Devotional, — that is, adapted to religious worship. 



52 BIBLE STUDY. 

They constitute the Hymn-book of the Hebrew church. 3. The third and 
fourth characteristics, though not so general, are that they are patriotic and 
prophetic. By lyric compositions are meant such as may be set to music, 
and can be accompanied by an instrument. 

Several of these songs have peculiar characteristics. The most remark- 
able of these is the cxix. (a) It is the longest by far of all the collection. 
(6) It is divided into sections, named after the letters of the Hebrew alpha- 
bet in order, (c) The several verses of each section in the original all 
begin with the letter designating that particular section, (d) The subject 
of the psalm is the excellence of the Divine Law ; and every verse of the 
whole psalm, with two or three exceptions, alludes to this in some form. 

Psalms cxiii.-cxviii. constituted a prominent part of the service in the 
Passover celebration. They comprise what was known as "The Great 
Hallel." It is this which is alluded to in Matt. xxvi. 30, in the account of 
Christ's last Passover with his disciples, where it is said, " They had sung 
a hymn." 

The religious character of the Psalms is most marked and definite. The 
following are some of the more prominent religious characteristics : (a) 
The one infinite, all-wise, and omnipresent personal God is recognized. (6) 
The universality of his love and providence and goodness, (c) Abhorrence 
of all idols, and rejection of all subordinate divinities, (f/) Prophetic 
glimpses of the Divine Son, and of his redeeming work in the earth, (e) 
The terrible nature of sin, the Divine hatred of it, and God's great judg- 
ments on transgressors. (/) The possibility of forgiveness, the Divine 
mercy, and the duty of repentance, {g) The beauty of holiness, the impor- 
tance of faith, and the privilege of the soul's communion with God. (Ji) 
While there is a less wide range of spiritual thought and sentiment than in 
the New Testament, and a less clear conception of the future life, there are 
still such exalted views of the nature of spiritual religion and of the glory 
that is to be revealed as are scarcely found in any other utterances previous 
to the advent of Christ. 



FIRST PART. 

1. What is there remarkable about the general character of this book? 
To what period of Hebrew history does the authorship of the larger part of 
it belong? Extent of the range of time in which the remainder was 
written. By whom were most of the psalms written ? The names of some 
of the other writers ? (For information on these and many of the following 
topics, see Introduction.) 

2. How did the Jews anciently divide this collection ? Give the limits 
of the divisions, and their respective authors, so far as known. How does 
each final psalm of the first four parts end, and what may it indicate ? 

3. Different kinds of psalms as forming another series of groups. Give 
the several characteristics of these groups, and cite some of the particular 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 53 

psalms in each. (Some of these may be read, afeid their peculiarities pointed 
out.) 

4. On what occasions in our modern religious worship is the xc. most 
frequently used ? What is the character of the xxiii. ? Of the xcvi. ? Of 
the cv. and the cvi. ? Of the Ivi. ? Of the ii. and the Ixxvii. ? 



SECOND PAKT. 

1. What are some of the chief characteristics of these compositions? 
W^hat is lyric poetry? Devotional poetry? What do we use in our modern 
religious service that corresponds to the Hebrew psalms ? 

2. State some of the peculiarities of the cxix. psalm. What is its sub 
ject, and what singularity of repetition does it have ? 

3. What especial and noteworthy use was accustomed to be made of 
Psalms cxiii.-cxviii., and what remarkable allusion in it do w^e find in the 
Kew Testament? 

4. What are the chief religious characteristics of these writings ? How 
do their spiritual conceptions compare with those of the New Testament ? 

5. On what occasions were the following psalms not improbably com- 
posed? ii. (2 Sam. xv.), xxiv. (2 Sam. vi. 12-17), Ivi. (1 Sam. xxi. 10-15), 
Ixxv. and Ixxvi. (2 Kings xix. 32-37), cix. (1 Sam. xxii. 9-23), Ixxiv. 
(2 Kings XXV. 2-18), Ix. (2 Chron. xviii. 11-13). 

6. What is the subject of the xxiii. ? Of the Ixxxiv. ? Of theciii. ? 
Of the cxxxiii. ? Of the cxxxvii. ? What doctrines concerning the Divine 
character do you find implied in the following: viii., xix., xxxiii., xlvi., 
xciii., cxv.j cxxxix. ? 



III. 

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS. 



Among us the general meaning of the word Proverb is a pitr-y, sententious 
maxim of homely wisdom, familiarly known, and apt to be often repeated. 
In the Hebrew and other Oriental communities, it had a somewhat wider 
signification. Originally its import was not unlike that of a^ara&/e, and the 
two words are sometimes used in the Bible for the same form of utterance. 
The primary idea is that of comparison or simile ; and even when nothing 
of this kind is formally present, it is often implied. Thus, in the book 
before us, we have such expressions as " A merry heart doeth good like a 
medicine;" "The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds;" "A brother 
offended is harder to be won than a strong city." But we find also in this 
book other forms of the proverb, both of those in which no comparison is 
expressed, and of those which run into the parabolic style of extended 
illustration. 



54 BIBLE STUDY. 

There is also another meaning of the term proverb, of frequent use in the 
Bible, but which hardly applies to any thing in this collection. It is that 
of a "by-word" or a reproachful saying, one in which the conspicuous 
wickedness or folly of an individual is extant as a comparison and warning. 

The Book of Proverbs is popularly attributed to Solomon as its author, 
and there is no well-established reason for doubting that most of it is due to 
him. In the part admitted on all hands to have been compiled by him, it is 
not unlikely that some maxims extant before his' time were gathered up by 
him and put in written form, while most of the utterances wei'e his own. 

The book is written in Hebrew verse. A considerable proportion, though 
not all of it, is in the form of parallelisms. This was the most common form 
of poetic expression among the Hebrews. The principle is that of a two-line 
stanza, containing two expressions pertaining to the same subject. Parallel- 
isms are of three kinds : — 

1. Synonymous, in which the same thought is presented in different 
words, as, — 

" What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? 
And the son of man, that thou visitest him? " — Ps. viii. 4. 

" He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man : 
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich." — Prov. xxi. 17. 

2. Antithetic, where the former member is illustrated by some opposition 
of thought in the second, as, — 

" It is an honor for a man to cease from strife : 
But every fool will be meddling." — Prov. xx. 3. 

" A wise son heareth his father's instruction: 
But a scorner heareth not rebuke." — xiii. 1. 

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: 
But the simple pass on, and are punished." — xxii. 3. 

3. The antithetic or epithetic, in which the second member, instead of 
repeating the first or giving the obverse of it, adds something to it, as, — 

" He appointed the moon for seasons : 
The sun knoweth his going down." — Ps. civ. 19. 

There are some parts of the book which are cast m none of these forms, 
yet the versification is everywhere maintained. 

There are four distinct divisions of the book, as follows : — 

1. Chaps, i.-ix. In this the style is hortatory as of an elder to a 
younger person, as indicated in the repeated expression "my son." The in- 
structions conveyed are consecutive and continued through extended passages, 
though the imagery is highly poetic, and the parallelisms are frequent. 

2. Chaps, x.-xxii. These form the nucleus or kernel of the book, and 
consist apparently of utterances by a single author, who at the outset is 
announced to be Solomon, (x. 1.) Here almost every verse is independent 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 55 

There is no consecutive thought, and generally each verse might stand any- 
where else as well as in its present connection. There is a kind of appendix 
to this division (xxii. IS-xxiv.), which is sometimes reckoned as a division 
by itself. This is again partly hortatory, and for many of the exhortations 
reasons are assigned. 

3. Chaps, xxv.-xxix. purport to be a collection of proverbs of Solomon 
copied in the time of Hezekiah, from some existing writings. The prob- 
ability is that these were written or collected by Solomon, but not arranged 
at the time of his death, in connection wdth the others. They are less fin- 
ished in style, and there appear among them series of utterances having a 
more or less obvious thread of connection. 

4. The last two chapters appear to be the w^ork of later w^riters, of whom 
little is known. They comprise three parts : (a) The w^ords of Agur, the 
style of which is distinct from all the rest of the book. (&) The didactic 
poem of or for King Lemuel, in which the poetic parallelism is maintained, 
(c) The remarkably beautiful alphabetical ode in praise of a virtuous w^oman. 
This is acrostical, each several verse beginning with a letter of the Hebrew 
alphabet in order, and there being the same number of verses as letters in 
the alphabet. 

The book abounds in instructive thought. Some of the prominent topics 
are the praise of wisdom, which is here closely cognate with piety; of in- 
tegrity, diligence, filial obedience, modesty, and justice ; also reprobation of 
sensuality, intemperance, and indolence. 



1. Meaning of the term proverb ? By whom is most of this book sup- 
posed to have been written ? Character and style of its composition ? What 
is meant by parallelisms ? Give examples of synonymous parallelisms other 
than those in the Introduction. Of antithetic parallelisms. 

2. Give the general divisions of the book. How does the first division 
differ from the second ? Mention the particular distinctions of the others. 

3. What are some of the prominent topics of the book ? What is meant 
by wisdom as used here? Can you show how it is closely allied to religion? 
Point out any passage in which the intimate relation is seen. 

4. What remarkable and sustained personification do you find in viii. 
12-36 ? Find as many passages as practicable which speak of the rewards 
of virtue and piety. 

5. Cite some passages which show the evils of sloth or indolence. Of 
wine-drinking and drunkenness. Of tale-bearing. Of family contention. 

6. What is said of a man who rules his own spirit, or of self-control ? 
Of contentment ? Of a good name ? Of disobedience to parents? Of fitly 
spoken words ? Of a beautiful woman who lacks discretion ? Of things 
little, but wise? 

7. What peculiarity about the last twenty-three verses of the last 
chapter ? What is here described ? Mention some of the beautiful things said. 

(These exercises can be varied to any extent at the discretion of teachers.) 



56 BIBLE STUDY. 

IV. 

ECCLESIASTES AND THE SONG- OF SOLOMON. 

These two books have probably occasioned more trouble to biblical stu- 
dents than any other parts of the Bible. The interpretations which have 
been given of them have been widely diverse, and there has been no general 
agreement as to the main design of either. Still, they contain many lofty 
sentiments and important truths, which could not well be spared from the 
treasury of religious thought. 

The impression given by the opening verse of the Book of Ecclesiastes, 
and by certain passages in it, is that it was WTitten by Solomon. There are 
also several allusions to the character and condition of the person repre- 
sented by the writer, which seem to corroborate this impression. But there 
are several indications which point to a later authorship. The style is not 
that of Solomon's other writings, nor one which corresponds with the age of 
Solomon. It seems to belong to a period of less culture and refinement. 

It is not improbable that it was written about three or four centuries 
after the time of Solomon, by some writer who, with a legitimate and proper 
motive, simply personated that famous king whose name among the Jews 
was almost a synonyme, not only for wisdom, but for all that is great in hu- 
manity. The object also may have been to set forth the experience of this 
great man as illustrating the result of successful worldliness and self-grati- 
fication as contrasted with the outcome of the higher wisdom implied in a 
godly life. 

The earlier and larger part of the book is chiefly occupied with a gloomy 
view of life, often of a morbid character, and sometimes bordering on the 
contemptuous. It is enigmatical, and abounds in riddles and paradoxes. It 
is also mysterious and unsatisfactory. The key-note and the dismal refrain 
is, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity." But even here are occasional rifts 
in the cloud, broad gleams of a great reconciling truth which yet somehow 
is connected with a higher style and better philosophy of human life. This 
comes out clear and satisfactory in the closing chapters. There, it appears 
that man was made not for this world alone, and not for selfish achievement 
or gratification, but with reference to some great plans of God for him, which 
are to be realized by obedience and devotion to the Divine service. 

This, then, is apparently the scope of the book ; the utter vanity and un- 
profitableness of human life, in so far as it consists in the mere gathering of 
worldly wealth, wisdom, or power, the pursuit of earthly pleasure ; this, be- 
cause it brings more pain and sorrow than gratification, and involves more 
evil than good. Having thus dwelt at length on this experience of a mere 
worldly man, who, nevertheless, in this instance, rises occasionally above his 
worldliness, the writer sets forth a better style of life — a life of obedience 
to God, and trust in his overruling and directing power and wisdom ; the 
satisfaction in the consciousness of right-doing ; a feeling that out of all 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 57 

the apparent evil in the world will come untold good to the obedient soul. 
There is not the bright and vivid conception of the future life which we find 
in the New Testament, but there is a faith which anticipates some glory yet 
to be revealed. 

The Song of Solomon has given rise to a still larger variety of opinions 
than Ecclesiastes : the divergency of views has also been larger and less rec- 
oncilable. It is called in the title the " Song of Songs," implying the super- 
lative estimation in which it was held when it was first written. The most 
probable theory concerning it is, that it is an eclogue or idyll, a " Song of 
loves," representing, now in dialogue and now in monologue, the love of a 
youth and maiden. These express their mutual affection in the minute and 
sensuous imagery usual among the Orientals, but uncommon among modern 
and western nations. Many think it to have been written to celebrate the 
nuptials of Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter, and not a few of the allusions 
give force to this hypothesis. 

It is supposed to have a spiritual significance, referring primarily to God 
in relation to his people Israel, and ultimately to Christ and his Church 
The latter relationship is frequently prominent in the New Testament 
(See Mark ix 1.5; John iii. 29; 2 Cor. xi. 2; liev. xix. 7; xxi. 2, etc.) 
There are many passages of exquisite poetry, as well as many which are 
applicable to the highest and purest spiritual experience. 



1. What peculiarities in common have these two books? What of 
Yalue do they both contain ? 

2. What is the first impression concerning the authorship of Ecclesi- 
astes? Mention some passages in which this is indicated, i. 1-12, 13; 
ii. 4-10. 

3. The more recent opinion concerning its authorship, and the time in 
which it was written? Was there any moral impropriety in the writer's 
personating Solomon ? What was there in Solomon's character and general 
reputation which w'ould naturally suggest the use of his name in such a 
representation ? 

4. What appears to have been the general design or object of the book, 
and what are its moral teachings ? How does the former part regard life ? 
What view is presented in the latter part? 

5- What is the great refrain of the former part? i. 2; ii. 26, etc. On 
what supposition concerning human life is this true? Do 3'ou think that to 
a merely worldly and selfish man, there is as much of good as evil in this 
world ? 

6. What is the final summing up of the whole matter ? xii. 13. What 
references to a future judgment do you find ? xi. 9, and xii. 14. 

7. Give the substance of the exhortation in the first part of the last 
jchapter. What is meant by " The keepers of the house " ? " Those that 



58 BIBLE STUDY. 

look out of the windows " ? " The grinders " ? " The almond tree " ? To 
what does the whole imagery apply ? 

8. The Song of Solomon. What strong expression in the title of this 
book, and what does it import ? Who is personated as the writer and one 
of the principal actors ? 

9. What are the general character and style of the book? To what 
higher purposes is it supposed to relate, and what application is made of 
many passages in it ? Where do we find this relationship expressed in the 
New Testament ? (See citation in Introduction.) 

10. What passage is often used to figure the relation of the saved soul 
to Christ? ii. 3 (last clause), 4. The beauty and glory of the Church? 
vi. 4. 10. How is the advent of spring described? ii. 11, 12. The strength 
of love? viii. 7. 



THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 



The word prophet is used in the Bible to indicate a variety of character- 
istics : 1. There is implied the popular notion of one who is able, through 
some supernatural ability, to discern the future, and foretell events which 
are to transpire subsequently. 2. It signifies a person employed in the 
utterance of public religious discourses, something analogous to our modern 
preacher ; and this was in large part the office of the Old-Testament proph- 
ets. Some of them were like our modern reformers, and others were even 
evangelists or revivalists. 3. They also exercised the functions of scribes, 
and wrote the histories of their times, the annals of their nation, and the 
biographies of the kings and great men. A very large proportion of the 
books of the Old Testament were written or compiled by the prophets. 

The prophetic books of the Old Testament are usually reckoned in two 
divisions, — the major and the minor prophets. The former embrace those 
under the names of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel ; the latter, the 
remainder. All these books are written largely in the poetic style. 

The prophet Isaiah is, next to Moses and David, the most impressive and 
powerful of the Old-Testament writers. He lived at Jerusalem in the times 
of the kings Uzziah to Hezekiah inclusive ; and it is thought by some that he 
continued till the time of Manasseh, by whom he was put to death by being- 
sawn asunder. But of this there is no authentic information. For a great 
part of his life his relation to the government seems to have been something- 
like that of a modern court-preacher, or chaplain to the king, although there 
was probably no such actual office. He was a man of powerful intellect, 
great integrity, and remarkable force of character. In his preaching he was 
earnest, brave, and unflinching. His writings are characterized by unusual 
strength, and, at the same time, by unusual beauty ; and, though he is often 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 59 

profound, he is seldom obscure. The book abounds in passages of remark- 
able eloQ^uence and of lofty poetry. 

Of the character and contents of the book, we notice the following par- 
ticulars • (a) Warnings and threatenings against his own people for their 
apostasy and wickedness, (h) Historical sketches of the times in which he 
lived, (c) Prophecies concerning the deliverance of the Jews from their 
captivity. (<^) Messianic prophecies, or those pertaining to the coming of 
Christ, (e) Predictions of God's judgments on other nations. (/) Antici- 
pations of the future glory and prosperity of the Church, {g) Discourses 
urging moral and religious reformation. (]i) Poetic effusions of praise and 
thanksgiving. 

There are many remarkable predictions which have already had their 
fulfilment — some of them not long after their utterance, and others centu- 
ries subsequently. Instances of these are the judgments of God upon indi- 
viduals and nations, as in the case of the king of Israel and the Israelitish 
nation, vii. ; the overthrow of Sennacherib, x. and xxxvii. ; the disasters 
and desolation which should overtake Babylon, Damascus, Egypt, Moab, 
and Idumsea, xiii., xv., xvii., xix., and xxxiv. (see especially xiii. 19-22, and 
xxxiv. 10-17, for most marvellous and vivid descriptions of the final fate of 
Babylon and the densely populated portions of Idumsea — descriptions to the 
verity of which at this very day travellers testify, though at the time of their 
utterance they must have seemed far less likely to be true than if uttered 
now concerning London or Xew York) ; the overthrow of the Jewish nation, 
and their subsequent restoration ; and the clear setting forth of the mingled 
grandeur and humiliation of the earthly life and character of the Messiah. 
It was this which had been overlooked by the Jewish rulers and learned 
men, which, nevertheless, the apostles used with great success to demonstrate 
the identity of Jesus with the promised Deliverer. 

Xone of the Old-Testament writers are so often quoted in the New Tes- 
tament as Isaiah ; and there is none whose vision is so broad, or whose con- 
ceptions reach to so gTeat a height. His views on the subjects of man's 
moral condition, the need of a Redeemer, the possibilities of the race, the 
grand consequences of redemption, and the doctrine of Divine Providence, 
are not much surpassed by those of even Paul himself. On the last point, 
he has several passages setting forth the manner in which God uses even 
wicked men to execute the Divine judgment, while for the wicked and self- 
ish dispositions evinced by them in the exercise of this agenc}^ he holds 
them amenable, and often punishes them for those sins. A notable illus- 
tration is the case of the Assyrian kiner. x. 3-19. 



FIRST PART 

1. Some of the significations of the word "prophet" as used in the 
Bible ? Division of the prophetic Scriptures ? 

2. How does the prophet Isaiah rank among the sacred writers ? Give 



60 BIBLE STUDY. 

some account of his life, and relation to the government and the times in 
which he lived. Some of his chief personal and literary characteristics. 

3. Character and contents of the book? Quotations from this book in 
the New Testament ? Any remarkable predictions, and their fulfilment ? 

4. Isaiah's moral and religious views as compared with those of New- 
Testament writers? On what subjects is he especially clear and pro- 
nounced? 

5. Give his remarkable statements concerning the Assyrian king, and 
the use which God may make of a wicked man as an agent, while at the 
same time he holds him responsible for his wickedness, x. 3-19. Show 
how these statements (6 and 12) harmonize. 

6. Mention a few of the express predictions of the Messiah as fulfilled 
in the character of Jesus, ix. 6, 7 ; xi. 1-4 ; xliii. 1-4 ; liii. ; Ixi. 1-3 ; 
Ixiii. 1-3, etc. 



SECOND PART. 

1. What complaints does the prophet make of the wickedness of his 
own people ? i. 2-4 ; lix. 1-8, 12-15 ; Ixv. 2-7. What particular sins are 
rebuked? iii. 18-23; v. 20-23; x. 1, 2; xxviii. 1, 3, and 7; Ixv. 3-5. 
What punishments are threatened ? i. 28, 30, 31 ; ix. 18-20 ; xxix. 1-6, etc. 

2. Against what other nations are judgments predicted ? xiii., xv., 
xvii., xix., xxiii., xxxiv., xlviii. What remarkably vivid description of the 
fate of Babylon is given? xiii. 19-22. What was the rank and character 
of Babylon as a city ? Has the prediction in its minute details been veri- 
fied? What prediction concerning some of the cities of Idumaea or Edom? 
The present condition of this whole region ? 

3. Passages predicting the restoration of the Jews from captivity, 
xliii. 1-7; xlix. 18-23; li. 3-5, 22, 23; Iii., etc. What remarkable pre- 
diction concerning the conqueror of Babylon, and the deliverance from the 
captivity ? xliv. 27, 28 ; xlv. 1, 2. How long was the time of Isaiah 
before that of Cyrus ? 

4. Mention some of the more notable passages portraying the future 
glory of the Church, and the spiritual prosperity of the race. xi. 6-9 ; xl. 
1-5; liv. 11-14; lix. 19-21; Ix. ; Ixv. 18-25. 

5. Discourses on moral and religious reformation, i. 16-19; v. ; xxxiii. 
1-8; xlviii.; li. 17-20; lix. 1-16. 

6. Poetic effusions of praise, thanksgiving, and adoration, xxv. ; xxvi. ; 
xl. 9-31. Point out in the last passage the grand descriptive statements of 
the power and wisdom of God. What illustration is given which, even in 
the light of ancient astronomy, w^as highly indicative of the Divine majesty 
and greatness, but which, in the light of modern science, inconceivably 
magnifies these attributes ? 26. Further instances under this topic ? 
Ixiii. 7-19. 

7. What glowing religious discourse do you find touching the richness, 
freeness, and greatness of the Divine grace and its effects? Iv., Ivi. 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 61 

VI. 

JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS. 
629-538 B.C. 

Jeremiah, the second of the great Old-Testament prophetic writers, lived 
in the last part of the sixth and first part of the fifth century before Christ. 
The beginning of his ministry appears to have been a little before the middle 
of the reign of Josiah, and a short time previous to the terrible calamities 
which overtook the nation. His prescience of these disasters, from the first, 
filled his soul with painful apprehensions, and gave a mournful character to 
his utterances. But not only the evil which he foresaw distressed him, but 
also the disobedience and apostasy of the people. His moral sensitiveness 
was very great : he was devoutly religious, and all impiety was painful to 
him. He was also of a deeply sympathetic nature, and the sufferings of his 
people, although in consequence of their sins, filled him with sorrow. There 
are few instances in history of a man who so shrank from giving pain to his 
fellow-men, and yet who so boldly, uncompromisingly, and faithfully re- 
buked the people of his charge. To a man so sensitive, sympathetic, and 
conscientious, dwelling among a people whose corrupt practices and wide- 
spread wickedness had provoked the wrath of heaven, and to whom any 
faithful preaching was unpopular and repulsive, and yet who was himself 
called to denounce the judgments of God, and to prophesy disaster and over- 
throw, his position was one of threefold difficulty and trouble. Yet, with 
a courage seldom paralleled in the moral history of the world, he fully 
declared the Divine message. 

Of course, so far as personal safety was concerned, this was not a dan- 
gerous office during the life of the godly Josiah. But after the death of 
this king, under the inglorious reigns of his sons, he was subjected to great 
indignities, and suffered bitter persecutions. Many times his life was threat- 
ened, both by the king and the princes, and he but narrowly escaped. But 
he still persisted in declaring the Divine truth concerning his people. 
Under Divine direction, he not only rebuked the people for their sins, and 
showed them the now inevitable consequences of their conduct, but he gave 
them instructions concerning their relations to their enemies. Assuring 
them that these would prevail against them, and would destroy the city and 
carry them captive, he urged them to submit, and accept such terms as would 
be offered, and thus make their subjugation as tolerable as possible, promis- 
ing them that after a definite period of seventy years there would be a 
release, and permission to return. 

The contents of the book of the prophecy may be divided as follows: 
1. Discourses in rebuke of the wickedness and degeneracy of the Jews. 2. 
Prophecies concerning the nation. 3. Sketches of national and personal 
history. 4. Prophecies concerning other nations. 5. Predictions of the 



62 BIBLE STUDY 

restoration. 6. Prophecies of the Messiah, and the future glory of the 
Church. 

The Book of Lamentations, the authorship of which is commonly ascribed 
to Jeremiah, is a collection of elegies on the overthrow and desolation of 
Jerusalem, and the nation of which it was the capital. The larger portion 
of the poems are acrostic; that is, each verse begins with a letter of the 
Hebrew alphabet following the alphabetical order. The third chapter has 
the further peculiarity that each letter is three times repeated, thus giving 
sixty-six instead of twent3^-two verses. The last chapter does not fall 
entirely into the acrostical form. 

The calamities bewailed strictly correspond to those narrated in the pre- 
ceding book, and also in the last part of the Books of Kings and Chronicles. 
The sentiment, though intensely and at times painfully sad, is beautiful in 
expression, and the book abounds in the finest imagery. 



FIRST PART. 

1. When did Jeremiah exercise the prophetic office? How does he 
rank among the prophetic writers of the Old Testament? 

2. What was the condition of the Jewish nation at this time ? What 
befell it before the close of Jeremiah's ministry ? 

3. Mention some of the leading traits of this prophet's character. Give 
some of the characteristics of his writings. 

4. What were there in his constitution, and in his relation to the people, 
that made his office burdensome and painful ? 

5. How were his messages for the most part received, and how was he 
himself treated by those to whom he ministered ? Did he on this account 
desist from his vocation ? 

6. How is the book divided as to the subjects contained in it? 

7. What were some of the sins and vices of which the prophet accused 
his countrymen ? ii. 12, 13, 27, 28 ; iii. 20 ; vi. 13, 14 ; xix. 4, 5 ; xxiii. 10. 
What terrible denunciation does he utter against the covetous king ? xxii. 
18, 19. 

8. What remarkable example is given of fidelity to the precepts of a 
father- respecting strong drink ? xxxv. 



SECOND PART. 

1. What strong figurative expression does the prophet use to indicate 
the greatness of his grief at the moral condition of his people ? xix. 1, 2. 

2. What are some of the evils predicted against the people because of 
their iniquities? xix. 7-9; xxxiv. 3-5; xxi. 4-6. (Other examples may 
be selected at discretion.) 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. G3 

3. Mention some of the other nations against which the Divine judg- 
ments were predicted, xxvo 18-25, xlvi,, xlvii., xlviii,, xlix., 1. What 
explicit prophecy concerning the futm-e of the then magnificent Babylon ? 
li. 37. Do we find any thing similar to this in any other prophet ? Has the 
prediction been fulfilled ? 

4. What promises of the restoration of the Jews from their captivity ? 
xxxii 37-44; xxxiii. 7-14; xxix. 10. 

5. What predictions concerning the Messiah and the Messianic times ? 
xxiii. 5, 6 ; xxxiii. 14, 15 

6. What is the general character of the Book of Lamentations? What 
was the occasion of its composition ? What peculiarity of composition is 
found in most of the poems? What special characteristic in the third 
chapter ? 

7. How would you characterize the general sentiment and tone of the 
book ? Select a few of the more striking passages, and show their applica- 
tion to the actual facts of history. (These may be read or committed.) 



VII. 

EZEKIEL. 
595-534 B.C. 

The first part of Ezekiel's ministry was probably contemporaneous with 
the last of Jeremiah's. Like the latter, the former belonged to the priestly 
class, and was himself a priest, as well as a prophet He appears to have 
been of the number of the better classes who were carried into captivity with 
King Jehoiachin in the first invasion by Nebuchadnezzar. A portion of 
these had their residence assigned them upon the river Chebar, not very 
lar from Babylon. It was here, and not in Jerusalem, that Ezekiel exercised 
his entire ministry, his presence in the latter place being only in visions or 
by the spirit. 

Ezekiel was a man of powerful but peculiar intellect. Less symmetrical 
and less attractive in general than Isaiah, and less uniform in the flow of 
his thought than Jeremiah, he is yet at times scarcely inferior to either of 
them. While there is not that shrinking sensitiveness which we find in 
Jeremiah, he has the same abhorrence of sin, and the distress occasioned 
by the wickedness of his people is none the less. His indignation and bold- 
ness of utterance almost surpass any of his predecessors. 

Ezekiel is distinguished from the other prophets in the method by which 
he exercises or manifests his prophetic gift. He is rather a seer of visions 
than a predictor of events ; yet these visions are symbolic either of future 
events, or of existing facts and conditions. The nature of this form of pres- 
entation renders much of the writing obscure. The character of the types, 



64 BIBLE STUDY. 

and the visions, make a part of the book similar to John's Revelation in the 
New Testament. He would be a rash man who would confidently under- 
take the complete interpretation of either. Probably the time for the full 
understanding of much contained in both is not yet come. 

Still, only portions of the book are of this character. The prophetic ad- 
dresses to thfc people are popular as well as powerful, while his predictions 
of the Divine judgments on the nations, and especially those relating to 
Tyre and Egypt, are of remarkable eloquence. 

The contents of the book may be divided as follows (see McClin- 
tock & Strong's Cyclopaedia): 1. Call to the prophetic office, i.-iii. 15. 2. 
Symbolic visions indicating the national catastrophe, iii. 16-vii. 3. 3. 
Visions representing God's rejection of the people for their apostasy and 
idolatry, with intimations of subsequent restoration, viii.-xi. 4. A series. 
of discourses rebuking the sins of the people, and the errors prevalent among- 
them, xii.-xix. 5. Another series of discourses, setting forth the guilt of 
the nation and their consequent condemnation, and indicating that this 
judgment was at hand, xx.-xxiii. 6. Discourses at the time of the final 
siege of Jerusalem, which he announced at the very commencement, thougli 
distant many weeks' journey, and prediction of the final result, xxiv. 7. 
Prediction of God's judgments against several heathen nations-, xxv.-xxxii. 
8. Prophetic representation of the triumph of God's kingdom in the earth, 
xxxiii.-xxxix. 9. Symbolic representation of Messianic times or the lat- 
ter-day glory. 

1. Who was Ezekiel ? Where did he exercise his ministry ? Give some 
of the characteristics of his writings. How did he differ from Isaiah and 
Jeremiah .'' 

2. How may the contents of the book be divided ? 

3. The condition of the Jewish nation at this time ? What was the. 
occasion of their calamities ? ii. 3-5. Do nations prosper when they persist 
in great wickedness ? 

4. What peculiar designation is given to Ezekiel ? iii. 1, 4, 10 ; v. 1 ; 
vi. 2, etc To whom is this expression applied in the New Testament? 

5. What do you learn concerning the duties and responsibilities of a 
minister, under the figure of a watchman ? iii. 17-21. Does this apply, to 
any extent, to every religious person ? 

6. What Hebrew proverb does the prophet cite, the sentiment of which, 
in certain of its applications, he repudiates ? xviii. 2, etc. What is the 
meaning of it ? In what sense is it true, and in what false? 

7. What doctrine do we find concerning individual responsibility in 
relation to sin and repentance ? xviii. 4, 20, 21-28. 

8. Mention some of the Gentile nations against which Ezekiel prophe- 
sied, xxv.-xxxii. 

9. What remarkable descriptions do you find concerning the wealth 
and luxury and beauty and commerce of Tyre? xxvii. 4-25; xxviii. 13, 
14. What predictions are made? xxvi 3-21, especially 4, 5, 14 ; and 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 65 

xxvii. 36. Where was Tj^e? Of what nation was it the capital, and what 
was the place occupied by this people in history ? Have these predictions 
been fulfilled? 

10. What is said concerning Egypt and its punishment? xxix., xxx. 
Is there any thing in the modern character of Egypt which justifies some of 
the statements of the prophet? ("See xxix. 15, and other passages.) 

11. What remarkable vision of Ezekiel is frequently applied to modem 
religious conditions ? xxxvii. 



VIII. 

DANIEL. 
595-534 B.C. 

The Book of Daniel records a number of interesting events which prop- 
erly belong to the period of Hebrew history covered by the Babylonian cap- 
tivity. They might have been better on some accounts considered under 
that head. But as some of these events have also a prophetic bearing, and 
as history and prophecy are somewhat closely intermingled here, it seems 
better, on the whole, to take the whole work together. 

The prophetic parts of the book are marked by a definiteness and clear- 
ness which we scarcely find in any of the other prophets ; though, even here, 
there are some predictions the design of which it is yet difficult to determine. 
This is particularly the case with those in chaps, xi. and xii. Some of 
these have been made the basis of curiously minute calculations relating to 
a great variety of historical developments. Many have thought they found 
in them clear intimations of events and series of events in modern history 
reaching into the present century, and determining the time of the final con- 
summation previous to the second coming of Christ. But probably these 
prophecies had their principal fulfilment in the times and relations of the 
Jewish nation before the first advent, while, at the same time, containing 
intimations of the character and development of the Messianic kingdom. 

However it may be with these passages, a very large proportion of the 
book contains unusually definite statements concerning events then future. 
The interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chap, ii., and the vision 
of the four beasts in vii. and again in viii., are of this kind. These indicate 
the succession of four great world-empires, or widely conquering forces; 
viz., the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Grecian, and the Syrian, the 
last anticipating and ultimately merging in the Roman. It was doubtless 
one of those double intentions of prophecy of which we find many examples. 
Among the marvellous instances of extraordinary power in which human 
wisdom and Divine inspiration mingled among the Hebrew worthies, are the 
interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's second dream, where the prophet cour- 



66 BIBLE STUDY. 

ageously indicated that monarch's sins and the feai'ful punishment about to 
overtake him ; also, the interpretation of the writing on the wall, announcing 
to the terrified Belshazzar the instant doom of himself and his empire. 

But the most interesting portion of the book, to Christian readers, is the 
explicit prophetic statement of the time of the coming of the Messiah, ix. 
24-27. By the prophetic symbolization of days for years, and weeks for 
corresponding periods, we have 490 years from a designated event as the 
period at the end of which the Messiah should close his mission. This is 
found to correspond to the facts as verified in the appearance and crucifixion 
of Christ. 



FIRST PART. 

1. Who was Daniel? What should you think of his family connection 
and personal appearance ? What distinction was shown him and his three 
friends in their early youth? i. 1-6. What objections were urged to the 
diet and training to which they were to be subjected ? What was done, and 
the result? Dan. i. 1-20. 

2. What extraordinary event occurred in which Daniel's ability was 
called into requisition ? ii. 1-45. The consequence to Daniel and his 
friends? 46-49. 

3. Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, and his decree concerning its wor- 
ship. The refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and their heroic 
conduct. Give the narrative, iii. 1-30. 

4. The second dream of Nebuchadnezzar, and the impotence again of 
his magicians, iv. 1-7. Daniel's bold exhortation and rebuke to the king, 
and his remarkable interpretation. 8-27. Fulfilment of the vision and 
prediction. The king's humiliation and acknowledgment. 28-37- 

5. The grand banquet of Belshazzar. Profanation of the Jewish sacred 
vessels, v. 1-4. Appalling apparition, and the mysterious inscription. 
Daniel's interpretation, and announcement of Belshazzar's doom and the 
overthrow of his kingdom. 5-28. 

6. Babylon taken by Cyrus. End of the Assyrian empire. The Medo- 
Persian extended over the whole eastern world. 30, 31. 

7. Give such account as you can of the walls and fortifications of Baby- 
lon. How was the city taken? Mention some of the prophecies concern- 
ing its destruction. Jer. li., especially 1-4, 7-12, 27-32, 37. Isa. xlv. 1-3, 
xlvi. ; also xiii. 19-22. 

8. Before these events, M'hat king had reigned in Babylon besides Nebu- 
chadnezzar and Belshazzar? and what event of Jewish interest occurred in 
his reign ? 2 Kings xxv. 27-30. 

9. Daniel's eminence under the reign of Darius. The jealousy of the 
princes, and the conspiracy against him. Dan. vi. 1-19. Give an account 
of the affair. The mortification of the king, and the deliverance of Daniel. 
The final outcome. 10-25. 



TEE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 67 



SECOND PART. 

1. What remarkable vision did Daniel have in the first year of Belshaz- 
zar ? vii. 1-14. What did the four beasts symbolize according to the inter- 
pretation given to Daniel ? What most remarkable character is assigned 
to that which is symbolized by the fourth beast ? What was to overthrow 
and supersede all these? 15-28. 

2. What remarkable vision do you find described as appearing to the 
prophet two years later ? viii. 1-12. 

3. Give some account of the prayer of Daniel near the beginning of the 
reign of Darius, — its objects, its character, audits spirit, ix. 4-15. For 
what did he specially ask ? 16-19. 

4. What answer was given him, and what remarkable event is predicted? 
20-27. Reckoning prophetic time as a year for a day, how many years are 
these seventy weeks supposed to symbolize? What is the decree for the 
restoration of Jerusalem, here referred to? Ezra vii. 11-26. How long- 
before Christ's birth was this ? How long before the crucifixion ? 

5. What befell the prophet two years later ? x. 1-3. What vision did 
he have? 4-6. What comforting words were spoken to him? 11,12. 

6. What is predicted to take place in some remote future? What great 
doctrine of Christianity seems to be expressed here? xii. 1-3. 

7. Going back over all the prophecies and visions of Daniel, w^hile there 
is much that is not easy to understand, what important outlines of history 
are discernible ? What four great world-empires seem to be foreshadowed? 
(See Introduction.) 



IX. 

THE MINOR PROPHETS. 



The books of the twelve minor prophets are not arranged in chronologi- 
cal order. Jonah, who lived before any of the others, is placed fifth in the 
list, while both Joel and Amos were probably anterior to Hosea. All these 
prophets exercised their ofRce during the decadence of both divisions of the 
Israelitish nation, and most of them after the beginning of the great calam- 
ities w^hich came upon the people for their sins. 

HOSEA. 

7»5-<26 ^.G. 

This prophet lived during the most troublous times of the Israelitish 
monarchy. It was a time when revolutions and usurpations were the order 
of the day in governmental ranks, and when idolatry and fearful immoral- 



68 BIBLE STUDY. 

ity prevailed among the people. Hosea's ministry was perhaps the longest of 
any on record, extending over a period of more than sixty years. With one 
or two exceptions, he is the only one of the prophets who devotes himself 
almost exclusively to the Ten Tribes, rather than to the Jewish division of 
the nation. 

The method of instruction followed by Hosea is singular, and much care 
is needed in the interpretation of his "writings. Some of them, if taken in 
a strictly literal sense, might seem to involve positive immorality on the part 
of the prophet. But these doubtless are largely figurative, or capable of such 
explanations as would exclude all inconsistency of conduct. It may be that 
the debased condition of the people was such that only the most bold and 
startling illustrations of their sinfulness could ha-ve aroused them to a sense 
of their situation. The prevailing type is that of a wife who has been un- 
faithful to her husband, and has made herself very vile. The apostasies and 
growing wickedness of the people, together with the abominations which 
had become common, are set forth with great power and vividness. With 
these are mingled pathetic representations of the great love of Jehovah for 
his disobedient children. The style is abrupt, uneven, and often inelegant, 
but highly poetical, and abounding in metaphors. More than any other of 
the prophets, Hosea resembles our modern reformers and revivalists. 



1. Give the names of the minor prophets. In chronological order, 
which is first ? How do some of the others rank relatively as to time ? 

2. During w^hat stage of the national history did they all exercise their 
ofiice? 

3. In what times did Hosea live, and how long before Christ? What 
about the length of his ministry? To which division of the nation did he 
devote himself ? 

4. What concerning his method of instruction? What is the prevailing 
type by M^hich he illustrates the sin of the people? What feeling does God 
express, notwithstanding their vileness ? What is Hosea's style ? 

5. What were some of the sins denounced by the prophet, and what 
consequences were predicted ? iv. 1-3. What cause of destruction is men- 
tioned ? 6. 

6. What exhortations to penitence and reformation do you find?" x. 12, 
13; xiv. 1, 2, 3, 9, etc. What pathetic entreaty to the people to turn to 
God? xi. 8. What despairing utterance concerning the nation ? iv. 17. Is 
it good to be let alone of God ? 

7. What beautiful and tender sentiments are expressed towards those 
who repent of their backslidings ? xiv. '1-7. W^hat affectionate desire is 
indicated in regard to his people ? xi. 1-4. 



THE FOETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 69 

X. 

JOEL AND AMOS. 
JOEL. 
800 B.C. 

This prophet must have lived somewhat earlier than Hosea, and probably 
exercised his ministry in the time of Joash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, 
king of Judah. The writings of this prophet are not extensive, but they are 
of considerable interest. The main subject of his prophecy is the terrible 
judgments of God which ^vere to come upon the people for their persistent 
disobedience. But he predicts repentance and reformation and consequent 
restoration. Through all these, he seems to have grand visions of the glory 
of the Messianic times, and the prosperity of the people of God. 

The proximate events which answered to the chief predictions, were a 
grievous drought, and a plague of locusts which so devastated the land that 
the inhabitants were in great distress. This led to repentance and reforma- 
tion en the part of the people, and consequent deliverance. But, doubtless, 
these were meant also to symbolize on a larger scale the future of the nation, 
and they contained intimations of more extensive calamities which should 
issue in a more radical and permanent reformation. They also look for- 
w^ard, in a general way, to the establishment of the Christian Church and its 
triumph in the earth. To this refers the glowing passage in chap, iii., quoted 
by Peter on the day of Pentecost. 

AMOS. 
787 B.C. 

This prophet was obviously of humble origin, having been in his youth 
a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit. He had not been educated in 
the schools of the prophets, nor received any special training for the pro- 
phetic office. His residence and probable birthplace was Tekoa, about 
twelve or fifteen miles south from Jerusalem. The larger part of his minis- 
try was among his own people, in the kingdom of Judah ; but he at one time 
visited the Israelitish dominion, and preached powerfully against the idola- 
try of the land, and predicted dire judgments because of it. On this ac- 
count, Amaziah, the idolatrous priest of the altar at Bethel, complained of 
him to the king, and drove him out of the country, vii. 10-17. 

The style of Amos is clear and forcible ; the imagery is homely and apt, 
much of it drawn from rustic and agricultural usages. The following are 
the more obvious divisions of the book : 1. A denunciation of the sins of the 
neighboring nations, i. 1-ii 3. 2. Description of the moral condition of 
Judah and Israel, ii. 4-vi. 11. o. A reflection upon the previous discourses, 



70 BIBLE STUDY. 

and a narration of the prophet's visit to Bethel, and declaration of the 
impending punishment of the wicked nation and the false priest, vii. 
1-ix. 10. 4. A forward look to the t:me of the Messiah's kingdom, and 
the happiness of God's people, ix. 11-15. 



1. The time of the prophet Joel ? What can you say of his writings? 
What predictions have had a literal fulfilment, and of what were the predic- 
tions symbolical? 

2. What is said concerning the effect of the drought, and the plague of 
the insects ? i. 4, 12, 16, etc. 

3. What description is given of the locusts and their devastations? 
i. 6, 7 ; ii. 2-10. What measures were proposed to avert the evil? i. 14; 
ii. 12-17. What consequences promised ? 19-26. 

4. What prediction of remarkable events which were to occur in later 
times, and which was quoted in the :N"ew Testament as being then fulfilled ? 
ii. 28-32. 

5. What was the condition in life of the prophet Amos ? At what time, 
and where, did he live ? Where did he exercise his prophetic office ? The 
effect of his mission to the kingdom of Israel? vii. 10-17. 

6. The general style of the book ? The divisions of the treatise ? 

7. Against what nations does the prophet denounce the Divine judg- 
ments ? i. and ii. 

8. What illustrations of the greatness and power of God are given ? 
iv. 13 ; v. 8; ix. 2, 3, 5, 6. 

9. What instances of transgression and sin are cited ? li. 8 ; iv. 1 ; v. 
7 ; vi. 4-6. What promises of peace and prosperity in the latter days are 
made? ix. 13-15. 



XI. 

OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM. 

OBADIAH. 

585 B.C. 

The prophecy of Obadiah is comprised in the shortest book in the Old 
Testament, consisting of a single chapter of only twenty-one verses. We 
have no account of the man, and can only judge concerning him by what we 
gather from his brief writings. He j^robably prophesied about 585 B.C., or 
some time between the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of Edom. 
So much is evident from the fact, that while he predicts the latter, and 
indeed makes it the main subject of his prophecy, he alludes to the indiffer- 
ence, or perhaps the practical sympathy with the enemy, which was mani- 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 71 

fested by Edom in the time of Jerusalem's calamity. 11-14. For this, 
among the wickednesses of Edom, he declares her overthrow by the same 
power which had laid Judah low. 

The most remarkable passage is the closing one, in which the prophet 
announces the future glory of Jerusalem or Mount Zion, and the great pros- 
perity of God's people, thus doubtless figuring the spiritual triumphs of the 
Church of Christ. 

JONAH. 
862 B.C. 

This prophet, though the fifth in the order of arrrangement of the minor 
prophets, appears to have lived and exercised his sacred office many years 
before any of the others. We find the first mention of his name in the time 
of Jeroboam IL, king of Israel, where he prophesies the restoration of cer- 
tain extensive territories which had been wrested from the kingdom by 
neighboring nations. 2 Kings xiv. 25. A few ancient writers maintained 
that he was the sou. of the widow of Zarephath who was miraculously re- 
stored by Elijah. Others have attempted to identify him with the young 
man of the sons of the prophets sent to anoint Jehu. But these are evi- 
dently fanciful conceits, having only the slenderest foundation of conjecture. 

The book is mainly a narrative of the prophet's experience when sent on 
a special religious mission, and the concomitants and consequences, rather 
than the ordinary utterances of the prophetic mind. The extraordinary su- 
pernaturalisms embodied in the book have made it the object of infidel assault 
and much profane wit. But they are chiefly based on false conceptions of 
the facts, which, though remarkable, are in no sense contradictory or incon- 
sistent. 

The character of Jonah attracts attention by reason of such unexpected 
w^eakness in a chosen messenger of the Lord, sent on a solemn and impor- 
tant errand. Yet a charitable consideration of all the circumstances will 
lead to some mitigation of our condemnation, though not to a very high 
estimate of the prophet's character. 



MICAH. 

756-697 B.C. 

Of this prophet very little is known. He appears to have been contem- 
porary with Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos, and perhaps others of the minor 
prophets. It is probable that the utterances of which his book is composed 
were made during the latter part of the period usually assigned to him, or 
about 720-710 B.C. The subjects are of the same general character with 
most of the prophecies of this period. They contain warnings concerning 
the national wickedness, and threatenings of punishment, together with 
somewhat indefinite yet confident predictions of the Messianic times and 



72 BIBLE STUDY. 

triumphs. The prediction concerning the precise place of Christ's birth is 
the most important and remarkable of his utterances, and was accepted by 
the Jewish rabbis and doctors as conclusive. It was on the authority of this 
prediction that the announcement of the place was made to Herod. 

The book appears to have three divisions, each marked at the beginning 
by the formal exhortation, " Hear ye ; " each also commencing with rebukes 
and threatenings, and ending with a promise. 

NAHUM. 

713 B.C. 

Of !N'ahum's personal history, no more is known than of that of Micah. 
Probably the two pro]3hets were contemporary, and that they exercised their 
office about the same time. Yet the subjects are widely different, as were 
doubtless the places of their birth. It is thought by the most reliable au- 
thorities that Nahum was a native of Galilee, and that, when the captivity 
of the Ten Tribes began, he escaped to Judsea, and was in Jerusalem at the 
time of the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib. The appalling and 
miraculous catastrophe of that invasion, and the destruction of the army, 
were perhaps the occasion when the Spirit moved him to prophesy against 
Nineveh, the renowned and mighty capital of the Assyrian empire. This 
is the subject of the book, and is treated in a bold, fervid, and eloquent 
manner. Of the literal fulfilment of these predictions in the destruction of 
Nineveh about a century later, there is abundant evidence. The discoveriec 
made during the present century by Layard and others among the ruins of 
the buried, and for ages forgotten, city, confirm the correctness of the 
prophet's vivid descriptions. 

1. What peculiarity is there about the Book of Obadiah ? At what 
time did he prophesy, and against what particular city ? 

2. Of what does he accuse the Edomites ? 11-14. What vision of the 
future glory of Israel is set forth, and to what does it probably have refer- 
ence? 17, 18, 21. 

3. What is there remarkable about the time and place of Jonah in rela- 
tion to the other minor prophets ? What are some of the not very probable 
traditions concerning him? What mention of him do we find in Hebrew 
history ? 

4. Give the main facts of the narrative. What are some of the obvious 
^Jements of the prophet's character ? 

5. What can be said of the prophet Micah? At about what time did 
iie prophesy, and who were his contemporaries ? 

6. Some of the prominent topics of the book ? How are the three 
divisions of it marked ? 

7. Some of the accusations and threatenings against Israel and Judah ? 
i. 6, 7, 9 ; ii. 2, 4 ; iii. 1-4. 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 73 

8. What more prosperous conditions are predicted after these judg- 
ments ? iv. 1, 2. What oft-quoted utterances are found here ? 3, 4. 

9. What remarkable prophecy concerning the place of the Messiah's 
birth ? V. 2. Where, and on what occasion, is this quoted in the "N'ew 
Testament ? 

10. How much do we know of the personal history of Nahum? The 
probable time of his ministry? 

11. The subject of his prophecy? Of what empire was Nineveh the 
capital? How did it rank among cities, and what was its general char- 
acter ? 

12. What event of historic interest and importance had occurred in Na- 
hum*s time, in the relations of the Assyrians to the Jews? 

13. What striking features of the Divine character are set forth at the 
beginning of this prophecy? i. 2, 3, 7. 

14. How is Nineveh described, and what is intimated concerning the 
energy and enterprise of the city? iii. 1, 2. 

15. To what condition was she doomed? 3, 7, 11, 12. Were these pre- 
dictions fulfilled? Is any thing known of Nineveh in these latter times? 



XII. 

EABAKKUK, ZEPHAIHAH, HAGaAI. 

HABAKKUK. 

626 B.C. 

This prophet was doubtless a contemporary of Jeremiah, though no ac- 
count of him is given, either in his own writings, or in any of the historical 
books. It is evident that he preached to the people some little time at least 
before the overthrow of the nation ; since he denounces the peculiar sins of 
that period, and predicts the Chaldsean invasions, setting forth in vivid lan- 
guage the characteristics of the invaders, i. 6-9. The style is highly poet- 
ical, and the imagery very fine The first two chapters have the form of a 
dialogue between the prophet and the Divine Ruler. The third chapter is 
a prayer, or psalm, which, for grandeur of poetic conception and sublimity 
of expression, is seldom equalled in the literature of any language. 

ZEPHANIAH. 

630 B.C. 

We have the genealogy of Zephaniah and the time of his ministry clearly 
stated in the opening passage of his written prophecy. As he predicted the 



74 BIBLE STUDY. 

fall of Nineveh, and as that city was destrc^ed about the middle of the reign 
of Josiah, the prophecy must have been made in the earlier part of that 
reign. He is supposed to have been a contemporary of Habakkuk, and also 
of Jeremiah. 

The book begins with a denunciation of terrible judgments upon the 
people for their idolatry pride, and wickedness. Afterward great calamities 
are predicted to the surrounding nations. The book closes with a call to 
repentance, and a promise of future restoration and peace. 

HAGGAI. 
520 B.C. 

This prophet was of the number who returned from the captivity, under 
Zerubbabel, according to the decree of Cyrus. He exercised his office during 
the troublous times of the rebuilding of the temple, and the re-organizing 
of the community, While we have not any more knowledge of Haggai's 
personal history than of the prophets who preceded him, we have unusually 
explicit information concerning the time of his preaching. We are told, not 
only in what year he prophesied, but in what month, and on what day of the 
month. Three such dates are given, and all of them within the space of 
four months, in the second year of Darius. 

After the death of Cyrus the returned Jews were hindered in their work 
of reconstruction by the interference of the hostile Samaritans and others, 
and for sixteen years almost nothing was done. On the accession of Darius 
Hystaspes, he renewed the decree, and gave aid to the Jews. But years of 
inactivity had dulled their zeal, and it required the rebukes and exhortations 
of the prophets to stir up their interest and enthusiasm. This furnished the 
chief occasion and object of Haggai's ministry. In this, too, he and his co- 
laborers were successful: and the grand undertaking was in a few years 
successfully accomplished. 

1. What was the time of Habakkuk's ministry? What evidence have 
we that he preached before the overthrow of Jerusalem ? 

2. What can be said concerning the style and form of the writing? 

3. What do we know as to the morals of the people ? i. 3, 4. How 
are the Chaldaean invaders described ? ii. 2. 

4. What expression do we find here that is used to illustrate the clear- 
ness of gospel truth ? ii. 2. What words are often quoted to express the 
essence of Protestant Christianity? 4. What rebuke is given to those who 
tempt others to drunkenness ? 15. 

5. Character of the last chapter ? Give some of the more highly poeti- 
cal passages. What formula of extraordinary faith do we find here? iii. 
17, 18. 

6. What is recorded concerning Zephaniah? In whose reign did he 
prophesy ? What reason have we for placing his ministry in the earlier part 
of this reign ? 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 75 

7. Give the chief topics of the book. How does the prophet represent 
the coming judgments upon the people? i. 14, 15, etc. 

8. How does he describe the future condition of Nineveh ? ii. 14, 15. 
How does this correspond with the facts ? 

9. What encouraging prospect is held forth concerning the future of 
Jerusalem, a-nd what does it probably signify ? iii. 14-20. 

10. The time of Haggai's ministry ? How long a time do his published 
prophecies cover ? The political condition of the people at this time ? The 
occasion of Haggai's addresses and exhortations ? 

11. What does he urge the people to do? What reproach does he utter? 
i. 4, 9. 

12. What was the effect of his preaching? i. 14, 15. Do we find any 
confirmation of this in the historical books ? Ezra vi. 14, 15. 



XIII. 

ZEOHAEIAH AND MALACHI. 

ZECHARIAH. 

520-487 B.C. 



Like Haggai, Zechariah appears to have been of the company of fifty 
thousand who first returned from the captivity under the leadership of 
Zerubbabel. He was associated with Haggai in actively encouraging the 
people to rebuild the temple, and in urging the religious motives thereto. 
(Ezra V. 1 ; vi. 14.) There is reason for believing that he was at this time 
a young man (ii. 4), and therefore that he was born during the captivity. 
There are also indications that, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, he was of the 
order of the priests. 

The first date in the book we find to be in the same year in which Hag- 
gai's prophecies were uttered. The second date is about two years later. 
The last part of the book is probably much later still, and has been by some 
authors supposed to be written by some other author or authors. 

The contents of the book may be embraced in four divisions : 1. The 
Introduction, comprising the first six verses. 2. A series of visions, which 
are intended, for the most part, to encourage the people with promises of 
future prosperity as a consequence of reformation and obedience. These 
extend to the end of the sixth chapter. 3. The third division comprises 
chaps, vii. and viii., and discusses the question of keeping up the days of 
fasting and humiliation which had been observed by the Jews several times 
in the year during their captivity. Mingled with the discussion are many 
reflections of a moral and spiritual character, growing not inaptly out of the 
subject. 4. The last division contains denunciations against some of the 



76 BIBLE STUDY. 

contemporary nations, and promises of prosperity to God's people, with 
various predictions concerning Christ. 



MALACHI. 
397 B.C. 

Of the personal history of the last of the Old-Testament prophets, noth- 
ing is known, except of the time of his ministry as indicated by his writ- 
ings. This must have been about one hundred years after the time of 
Haggai and Zechariah. The temple is spoken of as then existing, and so 
must have been already rebuilt. He speaks also of " the governor " (i. 8), 
the same term being used as in Nehemiah and nowhere else; and it must 
therefore have been during the administration of that eminent ruler. This 
is further evident from the fact that the vices and immoralities which he 
rebukes are the very same that l^ehemiah was striving during the latter part 
of his oificial life to abolish. 

It appears, that after the secure re-establishment of the Jews in their 
own land, and the rebuilding of the temple, and fortification of the city, 
the people had grown irreligious and selfish and sensual. They had not 
relapsed into idolatry ; but their vices were largely such as we see to-day in 
some professedly Christian communities, where a spirit of carnality and 
worldliness has come in, and where vital piety has given place to formality, 
carelessness, and general neglect of duty. He severely reproves the priests 
who dishonor God by their indifference and hypocrisy. He also rebukes 
the popular sins of the times. He pointedly alludes to the coming of the 
Messiah, and gives some of the characteristics of his coming. The prophecy 
and Old-Testament canon end with the prediction of the final catastrophe, 
and the promise, that, before that, there shall appear the forerunner to pre- 
pare the people for Christ's advent. 



1. With whom was Zechariah associated during a part of his ministry? 
At what time in his life was this? Where was he probably born? 

2. What dates do we have in the book itself determining the times of a 
portion of its contents ? What differences of opinion have there been about 
the latter part of the book ? 

3. Give the general divisions of the book. 

4. Give some account of the visions in the second part. 

5. What inquiry was made of the prophet by some of the leaders? 
vii. 3. What had been their custom during the captivity? vii. 5; viii. 19. 
What does the prophet represent as of far greater value than outwarn fast- 
ing? vii. 9, 10; viii. 16, 17. 

6. What pleasant picture does he make of the future prosperity of God's 
obedient people ? viii. 4, 5. 

7. Against what nations does Zechariah predict judgments ? ix. 1-6. 



THE POETIC AND PROPHETIC BOOKS. 77 

What Messianic prediction do we find? ix. 9. AVhere do you find the 
fulfilment of this? 

8. What is the tone of the prophet towards his people in chaps, x., 
xi., and xii.? What remarkable promises are made? xiii. 1, 2; xiv. 
7-9. What expression is used to indicate the general diffusion of, and rev- 
erence for, piety in the latter days ? xiv. 20. 

9. How long after the time of Haggai was that of Malachi? What 
reasons are there for this opinion ? Who was the ruler at this time ? Have 
we any later Old-Testament scripture than this ? 

10. What are some of the sins denounced, and how do they compare 
with those described by Nehemiah ? Mai. ii. 8, 11 ; Neh. xiii. 23-27, 29 ; 
Mai. iii. 7-9 ; Neh. ix. 34, 35. 

11. What kind of offerings does the prophet rebuke them for bringing to 
the Lord? i. 8, 13. What should we always oifer to the Lord? 

12. What declaration is made concerning the universal diffusion of true 
religion ? i. 11. What prediction of the forerunner, and of the Messiah, 
and what is indicated as the real character of the Messiah's mission ? iii. 
1-3. 

13. What distinction is made between the future destinies of the wicked 
and of the righteous ? iv. 1, 2. With what predictions does the proph- 
ecy and the Old-Testament canon close? What effect would follow the 
rejection of the overtures ? Was this fulfilled in the case of the Jews ? 



THIRD YEAR'S COURSE. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 



BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 

THIRD YEAR. 

Farrar's Life of Christ: also by Abbott, Hanna, Beecher» 

Eobinsou's Haemony of the Gospels. 

Strong's Harmony of the Gospels. 

G. W. Clark's Harmony of the Gospels. 

Smith's New Testament History. 

Geikie's Life of Christ: also by Hanna and Abbott. 

Edersheim's Life and Times of the Messiah. 

Stalker's Life of Christ. 

Bernard's Progress of Doctrine. 

Stowe's History of the Books of the Bible. 

Gregory's Why Four Gospels? 

Tulloch's The Suffering Saviour. 

Thompson's Land and the Book. 

Andrew's Life of Christ (for order of events). 

Wallace's Ben Hur. 

Selah Merrill's Galilee in the Time of Christ. 

Stapfer's Palestine in the Time of Christ. 

Bruce' s Training of the Twelve. 

Eggleston's Christ in Literature. 

Hackett's Illustrations of Scripture. 

Farrar's Messages of the Books. 

MIRACLES OP CHRIST. — Trench On the Miracles. 
Brace's Miraculous Element in the Gospels. 
Wardlaw On the Miracles : also MacDonald, Howson. 

PARABLES.— Trench On the Parables : also Arnot, Guthrie, Calder- 
wood, Cummings, 
Bruce' s Parabolic Teaching. 

80 




Fisk k Co. Engg. N.T, 



l,ougitude KaSt Irom Greenwich 



THE 



LIFE OF CHRIST 



Historical Antecedents.— Birth of John and of Jesus. 

In the studies heretofore occupying our attention, we have had a pretty- 
full account of the Israelitish and Jewish nations down to the fourth century 
before Christ. A very brief sketch during the intervening centuries, gath- 
ered from secular sources, is given in the Introduction to Number XXXII. of 
Hebrew History. It is important to recollect at this point that all this his- 
tory is a history of the world's preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus 
Chi'ist on his mission of human redemption. 

The Roman power, the fourth of the great world empires described and 
predicted by Daniel, (ii. and vii.,)had now reached its summit. It had ex- 
tended its sway over the larger proportion of the then known world. 
Though its successes had wrought deep and disastrous corruptions in its 
great cities, this period was outwardly that of its greatest brilliancy. 
Wealth was abundant; arts, letters and commerce flourished as never before. 
The Emperor, Augustus Caesar, was perhaps in most respects the greatest 
and most generous of his line. The territory under his sway was in round 
numbers nearly three thousand miles in length and from one to two thousand 
in breadth. 

Judea lay at the south-western extremity of these domains. This coun- 
try and its inhabitants had passed through many and extraordinary vicissi- 
tudes since the restoration from the Babylonian captivity. Till within a 
few years it had been under the rule, real or nominal, of the Asmonean 
princes, descendants and successors of the great Maccabean family, members 
of which had performed such heroic exploits, and had achieved and for a 
time maintained the independence of the nation in the second century B. C. 
About 63 B. C, Judea had been made tributary to the all-conquering power 
of Rome, and Antipater, a noble but crafty Idumean, had been by Julius 
Caesar made procurator, though there was still a nominal government under 
one of the Asmonean house. Herod, the son of Antipater, after the death of 
Caesar, by various means ingratiated himself with the authorities at Rome, 
and was appointed king over a territory embracing substantially the whole of 
Palestine. His recognition by the people was achieved only after a fierce 
war and much bloodshed. He was a man of powerful character, and vast 
81 



82 BIBLE STUDY. 

energy and enterprise were displayed by him in the establishment of his gov- 
ernment and the maintenance of his authority; but he was one of the most 
vindictive, cruel and violently wicked of princes. He slew his own sons out 
of jealousy, and put to death his beautiful, virtuous and accomplished wife 
Mariamne for the same cause. We see this character exemplified in his order 
for the slaughter of all the children in Bethlehem that he might make sure 
of the infant Jesus, the predicted and feared " King of the Jews." 

The nation, however, was in a fairly prosperous condition. Herod had 
built and beautified many cities, and almost reconstructed the Temple at Je- 
rusalem. Almost for the first time for centuries the descendants of the 
Twelve Tribes occupied the whole of their ancient territory under a consol- 
idated government, and it was the fullness of time for the advent of the 
Messiah. 

Luke i. 5-80 ; iii. 33—38. Matt. i. 1—23. 

1. At what different points of time do the Evangelists begin their ac- 
counts of the Life of Christ ? Coincidence between the beginning of the 
Old Testament and the beginning of John's Gospel in the New. 

2. G-rounds of the expectation among the Jews that a Divine Person 
would appear among them at some period of their history, who would be a 
Redeemer and Restorer. Gen. xlix. 10. Numbers xxi v. 17. Deut. xviii. 15. 
Isa. ix. 6 and 7; xi. 1 — 10. Micali v. 3. (Give also other passages of simi- 
lar import.) 

3. Meaning of the words Messiah and Christ. 

4. Coincidence between the ending of the old Testament and the begin- 
ning of Mark's Gospel in the New. Mark i. 1 — 3. Malachi iii. 1; and iv. 5 
and 6. Other predictions fulfilled in John the Baptist. Isa. xl. 3 — 5; Luke 
iii. 4—6. 

5. Incidents connected with the birth of John the Baptist. 

(a) His parentage and lineage. Character of his parents and of- 
fice of his father. Luke i. 5 — 9. 

(b) How many courses of priests were there for the temple ser- 
vice, and to which of these did Zacharias belong? I. Chron. xxiv. 
7 — 18. (See v. 10 and compare with Luke i. 5.) 

(c) The vision and announcement. Luke i. 11 — 17. The unbe- 
lief of Zacharias and the penalty incurred. 18 — 20. 

(d) The birth and naming of the child. Cessation of Zacharias* 
affliction and his prophetic song. 57 — 79. 

6. The genealogy of Jesus. Matt. i. 1—16. Luke iii. 23—38. 

(a) What difference do you find in these two lists ? 

(b) Mention some of the more distinguished names, and give a 
brief account of them. 

(c) Is the genealogy that of Joseph, or of Mary? 

(d) What reason is there for supposing that Mary also belonged 
to this line? Lu. i. 27 and 32. 

7. The annunciation. Lu. i. 26 — 38. 

(a) The Angel's visit. Where was Mary's residence? Its geo- 
graphical situation. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 83 

(b) The announcement, and the consequent wonder in the mind 
of Mary. 

(c) The predicted character of the child. 

8. Joseph's relation to Mary and his embarrassment. The prophecy 
concerning the manner of Christ's birth and its fulfillment. Isa, vii. 14. 
Matt. i. 22, 23. 

9. The prescribed name of the child, and its meaning? Matt. i. 21. 
What others of the same name had appeared in previous great crises of the 
national history? Num. xxvii. 18 — 21; Haggai. i. 1, and Zecli. iii. What 
was the difference between the salvation under the former Joshuas and that 
under Jesus? Matt. i. 21. 

10. What other name had been applied to the future child, and its sig- 
nification? Isa. vii. 14. Matt. i. 23. John i. 14. 

11. The decree of the Roman government for the taxing or the census 
of all the subjects of the empire. Lu. ii. 1. The journey made necessary 
to Joseph and Mary by this decree. The length of the journey. 

12. What previous allusions to Bethlehem are found in the Hebrew his- 
tory? Gen. XXXV. 19; I. Sam. xvi. 1 and 4. What eminent ancestor of Je- 
sus was born there? How far was it from Jerusalem? 

13. The birth of the child. Where was he laid after his birth, and 
^hy? Lu. ii. 7. 



II. 

The Infancy. 

The visit of the Wise Men from some region at the east of Judea, is one 
of the remarkable and yet most mysterious events connected with the birth 
of Jesus. There have been many inquiries and speculations concerning the 
character and the coming of these seekers after the new-born child; but all 
that is essential to be known is doubtless implied in the narrative. They 
were in some sense representatives of the gentile world bringing a welcome 
to the Saviour not of the Jews only, but of the whole human race. They 
represented more than the Roman Empire, for they evidently came from be- 
yond its limit. The title applied to them in the original record indicates that 
they came from the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates, where astronomy was 
early cultivated, and where the prevailing heathenism had taken on the form 
of worship of the heavenly luminaries. There were doubtless among such 
worshipers some who still cherished amid the corruptions of their religion 
traces of the One God, the* Father of Lights, and spiritual conceptions of 
the truths of the primal revelations. 

This would seem also to be implied in the " Star" given for their guid- 
ance. This, unquestionably, was a supernatural light, attracting the attention 
of those whose expectation of a coming Deliverer had already been excited 
by other means. For we have abundant evidence from authentic secular 
history that a wide-spread impression, both in the Roman world and beyond 



84 BIBLE STUDY. 

its limits, affected a certain class of persons — vaguely and indefinitely, it is 
true, but still really, — that a remarkable personage was about to appear, born 
somewhere in the East, and by many, as by these Wise Men, in Judea. 
Whether this had come from the Jews dispersed far or near among the na- 
tions, or from the influence of the Spirit of God, operating upon the minds 
of the more devout among the heathen, or, as is more likely, by both these 
causes, the fact seems well established. 

The magi, guided by the star, had come to Judea, and already had 
the conviction that the new-born child was a royal personage and the ' ' king of 
the Jews." At Jerusalem, examination of the written prophetic revelations 
showed that the Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem; and thither, still 
guided by the celestial light, they resorted, and found the young child. The 
gifts they presented indicated that these foreigners were persons of very great 
distinction and wealth. They also imply not only homage given to a royal 
personage, but offerings to a Divine being which also coincides with the 
"worship " spoken of. " Ages before, a prophet from the same regions had 
predicted the Messiah by the sign of ' the star that should arise out of Jacob ;' 
and while these sages watched the heavens with the reverence of worshipers, 
it pleased God to use their own ideas as the source of new light." 



Luke ii. 8—38. Matt. ii. 1—18. 

1 . To whom outside of the family, and by whom, was the first announce- 
ment of the birth of this child? How was the announcement made? Lu. ii. 
8 — 14. What did the shepherds do, and what did they find? 15 — 18. 

2. The presentation in the Temple. Lu. ii. 22 — 24. What was the law 
concerning the offering on such an occasion ? Lev. xii. 6 and 8. Why did the 
mother of Jesus bring two doves or two young pigeons, instead of a lamb? 

3. Simeon's meeting With the child, and his previous revelation con- 
cerning it. Lu. ii. 25, 26. His utterance concerning the character of the 
child. 29—32 ; 34, 35. 

4. The greeting of the aged prophetess Anna. 36—38. What do these 
prophetic declarations indicate concerning the character of the child? 

5. Visit of the Wise Men. Matt. ii. 1—12. 

(a) From what region are they supposed to have come? (See 
Introduction.) About how far, probably, from Palestine? 

(b) Was there any expectation, outside of the Jevdsh race, of 
the advent of a mysterious royal and Divine person? 

(c) What guided them in their search? 

(d) Fulfillment of prophecy in this coming. Isa. Ix. 3. 

(e) The arrival at Jerusalem and the inquiry there, the excite- 
ment of the people, and Herod's jealousy lest his authority might 
be disturbed. 

(f ) The examination of the prophetic records by the priests and 
scribes, and the decision that the predicted Messiah must be born 
at Bethlehem. 

(g) Herod's strenuous and hypocritical charge to the magi. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 85 

6. The finding of the child by the strangers, who bestow gifts and 
offer worship. 9—11. What does the character of the gifts brought indi- 
cate concerning the condition of the bringers? What do their offering and 
their worship show? ( See Introduction.) 

7. The Wise Men warned, and Herod baflSed. 12. 



III. 

Childhood and Youth. 

Soon after the flight of Jesus and his parents to Egypt, the cruel and 
tyrannical King Herod died. The strong, compact, and, in some respects, 
powerful monarchy which he had created, embracing the whole of ancient 
Palestine, and which he had hoped to perpetuate in his own family, virtually 
came to an end with him. The scepter had departed from Judah, for Shiloh 
had come. Indeed, the reign of Herod had only been by permission of the 
imperial Eoman government; and though there was a strong semblance of 
independence, yet the influence of Rome was constantly felt. 

Herod, by his will, had virtually divided the kingdom among three of 
his sons. Though Archelaus was named as his successor, and had the cen- 
tral government of Judea, Idumea.and Samaria, Herod Antipas was to be 
made governor or tetrarch of Galilee and a portion of Peraea, while Herod 
Philip held the similar office of ruler of the north-eastern portion of the 
country beyond Jordan. Even this disposition of the government was of 
no avail, till it had the sanction of the Emperor Augustus. It was substan- 
tially confirmed, though Archelaus was not permitted to take the title of king, 
and after a few years, for his maladministration, was wholly displaced, and 
Judea became a Roman province, with governors or procurators appointed 
by the emperor. Pontius Pilate was one of those appointed about A. D. 26, 
and it was under his administration that the crucifixion of our Lord took 
place. The government of Herod Antipas, the ethnarch of Galilee, was 
milder and less disquieting to the parents of Jesus than that of Archelaus, 
and for this reason they preferred to return to their old residence in Nazareth. 



Matt. ii. 13—33. Luke ii. 39-53. 

1. The flight to Egypt. The parents of Jesus divinely informed con- 
cerning the purpose of the king, and directed to take the child to Egypt. 
13 — 15. How long a journey would this probably be? 

2. Herod's wi-ath at the defeat of his plot. His infamous decree, and 
its execution. 16 — 18. 

3. The return from Egypt and settlement at Nazareth. Matt. ii. 19 — 23. 
Lu. ii. 39. 

(a) What had taken place during the absence in Egypt? 
2 



SQ BIBLE STUDY. 

(b) Who was now ruler in Judea? Was his jurisdiction as ex- 
tensive as that of his father had been? 

(c) Why did the parents of Jesus turn aside from Judea, and go 
to Galilee? Who was the ruler here, and how did his government 
compare with that of Archelaus. 

4. Character of Jesus as a child. Lu. ii. 40. What is especially note- 
worthy about the accounts of these early years of Christ's life? (See Intro- 
duction to No. y.) 

5 The annual visit of his parents to Jerusalem. Lu. ii. 41. What feast 
was the occasion of this visit and what was its origin ? How many public 
feasts were the Jews required publicly to celebrate ? Ex. xxiii. 14 — 17. 
Indications of the religious character of Joseph and Mary. 

6. What occurred when Jesus was twelve years old? Lu. ii. 42, 43. 

(a) What was there remarkable about the situation in which his 
parents found him? 46, 47. 

(b) The effect upon them, and his mother's mild reproach. 48. 

(c) His answer and its significance. 49. 

7. What is the sum of all that we know concerning the subsequent 
childhood and youth of Jesus? 51, 52. 

8. Is there any thing extraordinary about this profound silence of all 
the Evangelists concerning the early years of so remarkable a person. 



IV. 
The Herald and Usher. 

During all these years, John, the son of Zacharias, appears to have dwelt 
in the "desert," — that is, the sparsely settled hill-country of Judea to the 
west of the Dead Sea. There were a very few cities and villages in this 
region, and in one of these his parents had dwelt at the time of his birth. 
But he evidently sought the solitudes apart from the towns, and lived an 
ascetic life, disciplining himself for his ministry to the people to prepare 
them for the coming of the Messiah. At about thirty years of age, — the age 
at which the priests entered upon their public work, he opened his mission in 
these same regions, going gradually to the north where the Jordan comes 
down above the Dead Sea. Here he would meet occasional companies of 
travelers, and to them he began to preach. The extraordinary character of 
his message, and his rude raiment of camel's hair cloth fastened with a leather 
girdle, — the traditionary prophetic garb, — and his abstemious primitive diet, 
together with the fervor and power of his preaching, attracted attention and 
occasioned the resort of multitudes to see and hear him. The excitement 
appears to have been very great, and the conviction produced by this min- 
istry was almost universal throughout all Judea and much of the neighbor- 
ing country. 

We have no detailed account of John's method, nor more than brief 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 87 

fragments of any of his discourses, and a summary statement of liis main 
topics. The selfishness and wickedness of the people were denounced, and 
repentance and reformation were enjoined as a preparation for the coming 
of the Messiah, whom he announced as immediately at hand. The baptism 
which he administered to all who accepted his exhortations, was simply sym- 
"bolic of the putting away of the defilement of sin, and the purpose of a 
clean life. This ministry began about six months before the public career of 
Jesus opened, and continued for some time, though probably not many 
months, after. John, who had gradually made his way up the Jordan, came 
at last into the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, and, for the bold reproof which 
lie administered to that prince for his criminal conduct, was by him thrown 
into prison and shortly after executed. 

We shall meet frequently with the designation Pharisees and Sadducees. 
These were two distinct and prominent religious parties among the Jews. 
The Pharisees were strict formalists and legalists, though to the letter of the 
law they had added many traditions and fanciful casuistic interpretations. 
Their religion was ritual and mechanical, and utterly incompatible with the 
liberty and spirituality of genuine godliness. They were bigoted and exclu- 
sive to an extraordinary degree, and would not eat and drink with the masses 
of the people. A large proportion of them rigidly adhered to their doctrines, 
.and carefully observed all the petty artificial rules which they had laid down 
for themselves. They were not socially aristocratic, but they were morally 
•and religiously so, assuming a higher sanctity than others. Nor were they 
connected exclusively with the wealthier classes. These facts gave them 
^reat influence with the masses of the people. 

The Sadducees disagreed in all prominent points with the Pharisees. But 
the great, marked characteristic of their sect, was the denial of the resurrec- 
tion of the dead and of spiritual existence. This party embraced a consider- 
able proportion of the wealthy and cultivated Jews. 

There was also the sect of the Essenes, about which, however, little is 
said in the Evangelists. They appear to have been more devoutly and spirit- 
ually religious than either of the other parties. 



Luke iii. 1—17. Matt. iii. 1—11. Mark i. 1-5. John i. 1-34 ; hi. 27—36. 

1. What changes had taken place in the civil government of Palestine 
since the birth of Christ? (See Introduction to No. III.) At what time did 
John the Baptist begin his ministry? Lu. iii. 1. 

3. The burden of his preaching. Matt. iii. 8 ; Mark i. 5 ; Lu. iii. 3. 
The meaning of the words repent and repentance. Was there any large 
occasion in the character of the people for this kind of exhortation? 

3. The localities of his religious gatherings. Matt. iii. 1 and 5 ; Mark 
i. 4, 5 ; Lu. iii. 3 and 7. What was the nature of the country in this vicinity, 
and what its direction from Jerusalem? (Introduction.) Were these meet- 
ings, in any respects, like certain modern religious gatherings? 

4. The attendance upon John's preaching. Matt. iii. 5 ; Mark i. 5. 
What parties are especially mentioned? Matt. iii. 7. What was the charac- 
ier of these respective parties? (See Introduction.) 



88 BIBLE STUDY. 

5. The vigorous rebukes addressed especially to the members of the 
two chief Jewish parties. Matt. iii. 7 — 10; Lu. iii. 7 — 9. What were the 
people, therefore, generally admonished to do? How is genuine repentance 
and conversion likely to evince itself? Matt. iii. 8 ; Lu. iii. 8. Will a godly 
parentage or ancestry avail any thing necessarily towards one's justification? 
Matt. iii. 9, 10 ; Lu. iii. 8. 

6. Instruction, as to practical conduct, to various classes of inquirers. 
Lu, iii. 10 — 14. Who wej e the publicans, and what was the cause of their 
unpopularity? Was their calling essentially improper? 

7. Excitement of the people at the nature and powerful effect of John's 
ministry. Their eager and interested questionings. Lu. iii. 15 ; Jno. i. 19. 

8. His prompt and modest denial of any claim of his own to the Mes- 
siahship. Jno. i. 20 — 23. His testimony concerning Christ. Matt. iii. 11 ; 
Mark i. 7 ; Lu. iii. 16, 17 ; Jno. i. 26, 27. 

9. John the Baptist's introduction of Christ, and further testimony con- 
cerning his character, Jno. i. 15 — 18, and 29 — 34, Also, Jno. iii. 27 — 36. 
What extraordinary titles are here applied to Jesus? What profound signifi- 
cance is attributed to the lamb, in the Jewish ceremonial service? 

10. What does John the Evangelist say of the personage concerning 
whom John the Baptist gives this testimony? Jno. i. 1 — 14. Taken in con- 
nection with the Baptist's declarations, what may be gathered from these 
statements concerning the previous existence, mission and Divine character 
of Christ? 



V. 
Preparation of Jesus for the Beginning of His Ministry. 

In studying the Life of Christ, we need to take into careful consideration 
the character of the records from which we derive our information. These 
are comprised in four brief treatises known as "gospels," written severally 
by men who lived in the time of Christ, tw^o of them by his immediate com- 
panions, and the other two by persons most intimate with his apostles. Al- 
together they do not occupy as much space as the one-half of an ordinary 
twelve-mo book, and they severally average scarcely so much as a moderate 
modern pamphlet. 

They do not profess to be biographies or complete lives of Jesus ; but 
are rather fragmentary and somewhat disconnected memoirs or collected 
reminiscences. Yet they so set forth the prominent facts and characteristics 
of this remarkable life, that the world has received a vivid impression of a 
grand, unique and perfect human person, the greatness of whose humanity 
can be accounted for only on the supposition that it was also Divine. 

Three of these memoirs, though entirely independent of each other, ap- 
pear to have been written from nearly the same point of view, and present 
in large measure the same facts. For this reason they are called the synop- 
tical gospels. These reminiscences are, for the most part, confined to Christ's 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 89 

Galilean expsrience. John, the fourth Evangelist, appears to have written 
some time after the others. His work is to a considerable extent supple- 
mentary to theirs. He gives more full information concerning Christ's min- 
istry in Jerusalem and Judea, and dwells more upon the spiritual character 
and doctrines of the new dispensation. 

One remarkable characteristic of these writings, is their freedom from 
any literary intention. The writers seem to give to the world such facts of 
Christ's career as will convey a clear impression of his character and his 
object in coming to the world. They give no connected or protracted doc- 
trinal discussions. They are as simple and free from all preconceived theo- 
ries and theological or philosopical bias as it is possible to conceive. They 
do not even profess to give their statements of facts in a wholly logical or 
chronological order; but only as the events come uppermost in their minds 
and press for expression, do they utter them. 

Another characteristic is the silence of all these writers about many things 
on which multitudes of people, reasonably or unreasonably, desire informa- 
tion. There is not the least attempt to gratify a vulgar curiosity, or to in- 
dulge in any spirit of gossip. We have nothing at all about Christ's personal 
appearance, and only the most meager information about his childhood and 
youth. Two of the Evangelists do not allude to any event in his life till the 
beginning of his public career. Only one of them gives us the slightest 
glimpse of him during the twenty-eight or nine years between his infancy 
and his baptism; and that one speaks only of a single event in that long pe- 
riod. Yet out of these records of only a small fraction of a not very long 
life comes an influence affecting humanity more powerfully than all other 
lives together since the world began ! 



Matt. iii. 13—17 ; iv. 1—11. Mark i. 9—13. Luke iv. 1—12. John i. 37—51 ; ii. 1—12. 

1. Jesus leaves his home in Nazareth, and resorts to the place near the 
Jordan where John the Baptist was holding his convocation. He presents 
himself as a candidate for baptism. Matt. iii. 13; Mark i. 9. 

2. John's objection to performing this office for one whom he recog- 
nizes as his spiritual superior. Matt. iii. 14. Can any other reason be given 
why it might be deemed unnecessary for such an one as Jesus to be bap- 
tized with the baptism of repentance f 

3. Jesus overrules the objection, on the ground of ceremonial pro- 
priety. 15. 

4. The extraordinary occurrence immediately consequent on the bap- 
tism. Relate what was seen and heard. Matt. iii. 16, 17; Mark i. 10, 11; 
Lu. iii. 21, 22. How old was Jesus at this time? Lu. iii. 23. 

5. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit coming upon him especially 
at his baptism, Jesus goes into the desert of Judea, far from human habita- 
tions, and exposed to wild beasts, he fasts forty days. Matt. iv. 1, 2; Mark i. 
12, IB; Lu. iv. 1, 2. 

6. The great conflict with Satan. Matt. iv. 2—10; Lu. iv. 2—11. 

(a) Jesus, after the long fasting, tortured with hunger, is urged 



90 BIBLE STUDY. 

to exert his miraculous powers for his personal gratification. An 
appeal to physical appetite. The answer to this solicitation. 

(b) Appeal to selfish sensationalism and the desire for human 
praise. How is this met? 

(c) Appeal to selfish ambition, — the desire of power. His 
prompt rebuke of the infamous suggestion. 

(d) The refusal throughout to cherish a willful and wayward 
spirit in preference to a patient and self-denying one. 

7. Do we find other instances, in the Bible, of a forty days' religious 
seclusion and fasting at important epochs? Ex. xxiv. 18; xxxiv. 28; I. Ki. 
xix. 8. 

8. The ministry of angels. Matt. iv. 11; Marki. 13; Lu. iv. 13, 

9. After his return from his great spiritual conflict, Jesus is sought by 
two of John the Baptist's disciples, who had heard their master's testimony 
concerning him. Jno. i. 37 — 39. Andrew finds his brother Simon, and in- 
troduces him to Jesus, who bestows upon him the new name of Peter. 

10. The calling of Philip. The introduction of Nathanael, and his 
conversation with Jesus. 43 — 51. What do you infer from Nathanael's re- 
mark about Nazareth as to the reputation of that city? 46, What title does 
Nathanael give to Jesus, and how does Jesus designate himself? 49 and 51. 
Where was the probable residence of all the disciples who had now joined 
themselves to Jesus? 44. 

11. The marriage at Cana. Jno. ii. 1 — 11. The distance of Cana from 
Nazareth? What does the attendance of Jesus upon this social festivity in- 
dicate as to his character and disposition? The exhaustion of the supply of 
wine, and what was done by the direction of Jesus, and the result. 3 — 10. 
What evidence is there that this was a genuine and not an apparent transfor- 
mation? 10. 

13. Was this transformation natural or supernatural? 11. How does a 
miracle or supernatural event differ from a natural event? ( See Introduction 
to No. VI. 

13, The visit to Capernaum. 13. In what direction and how far from 
Nazareth was this place? 



VI. 
Christ's First Public Appearance in Jerusalem. 

A conspicuous characteristic of Christ's ministry was the miraculous 
power which he exercised. A miracle may be defined as an event not expli- 
cable on the basis of merely natural laws or causes, but requiring a power 
above nature, indicating a divine agency and certifying a divine authority in 
the person performing the act, and never occurring except in attestation of 
some religious movement. It was the firm belief among intelligent Jews that 
no genuine miracle could be wrought but by the power of God, and that this 
power was never granted except to a good man. Hence the miracles wrought 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 91 

by Clirist appeal with demonstrative force to all candid men. Thus Nicode- 
mus: "No man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with 
him." Prejudiced partisans and enemies of Christ endeavored to destroy the 
force of them by impeaching their genuineness. But their reasoning was so 
palpably superficial and inconsequential, that it required little effort to refute 
them. It was to these works as credentials of this divine authority, that 
Christ so frequently referred; and to the Jews, and in that age, they were 
so incontestable, that they could not well be rejected without guilt. 

Attention is asked to some characteristics of these miracles. 1. They 
were never wrought for the personal gratification either of Jesus or of his 
friends. 2. They were never allowed to minister to mere curiosity. 3. They 
were never performed as mere tests of individual power, nor in response to a 
sensational demand. 4. They were, almost without exception, in the way 
of some benevolent ministration to the afflictions of men. 



John ii. 13—25; iii. 1—20. 

1. Jesus, according to his custom, goes to Jerusalem on the occasion of 
the passover next after the beginning of his ministry. Jno. ii. 13. Explain 
the origin and nature of this memorial, and its relation to Christianity. 

2. Astonishment and grief of Jesus at the profanation of the Temple to 
the uses of secular commerce. He drives out the traders and speculators. 
The dignity and force of character in him which prevented resistance. 
14—16. 

3. The pious zeal manifested excites the admiration of his few friends, 
and the jealousy of the multitude. The latter demand of him a sign, — 
some evidence of his authority for this extraordinary action. 17, 18. His 
answer; their cavilings; the impression on his disciples. 19 — 22. 

4. Having taught, and wrought some miracles, many were convinced 
of his divine character and mission; but, owing to their vague and carnal 
conceptions, he did not commit himself to them. 

5. Visit of Nicodemus. Jno. iii. 1. Who was he, and what estimate 
do you form of his character? 

6. His recognition of Christ's miracles and consequent divine power. 3. 

7. The chief topic of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, and the 
ruler's failure to apprehend its real spiritual import. 3 — 8. What designa- 
tion do Christians of this age give to the change here implied? By what 
power is it effected? 5, 6 and 8. 

8. Jesus' assertion of the sacred truth of his teaching, and reference to 
his authority as evinced by his exercise of supernatural power; also, his sole 
ability to reveal these truths, and the reluctance of men to receive them. 
9—13. 

9. The great doctrine of Redemption by Christ as the Son of man and 
the Son of God. 14, 15. Greatness of the divine love. 16. Men condemned, 
not so much because of their natural condition or past sinfulness, as because 
of the rejection of the Redeemer. 17 — 20. 



92 BIBLE STUDY. 



VII. 



The Close of John the Baptist's Ministry.— Jesus among the 
Samaritans. 

The Samaritans occupied the portion of Palestine between Galilee and 
Judea. The inhabitants of the regions both to the north and south of them 
were orthodox Jews, while they themselves were reckoned as aliens, or at 
best as unworthy of religious fellowship. They were, in reality, the descend- 
ants of the inhabitants which had been colonized in the depopulated country 
of the kingdom of Israel, after the conquest of that nation by Shalmaneser, 
king of Assyria. The former inhabitants had been carried away captive, and 
others from various Assyrian cities, had been sent to occupy the land. It is 
not unlikely that a remnant of the IsraeKties still remained, A mongrel race 
was formed, and it was thought best to conform to the religion of the land, 
though they still worshiped their own idols. On the return of Judah from 
the Babylonian captivity, the Samaritans claimed national and religious affin- 
ity with them, and asked to be allowed to participate in their religious enter- 
prises. This was peremptorily refused, and henceforth there was an irre- 
pressible enmity between the two sections of country and kinds of people. 
Gradually the idolatry of the Samaritans gave way to more exclusive mono- 
theism, and a temple was built on Mt. Gerizim as a rival to that at Jerusa- 
lem, The people came to claim that theirs was the purer Hebrew faith. 
The animosity was great between the Jews and Samaritans, and even the 
common courtesies of life were often denied. Christ himself, though rebuk- 
ing the bitterness and hatred of the two peoples, yet regarded the Samari- 
tans as aliens, or as not comprised among the covenant people. Still they 
appear to have cherished similar hopes and expectations concerning the Mes- 
siah to those of the Jews. 



Jno. iii. 23—36 ; iv. i— 44. Matt. xiv. 3-5 ; iv. 12—17. Mark vi. IT— 20 ; i. 14, 15. 
Lu. iv. 14, 15. 

1. Jesus leaves Jerusalem, and goes into the rural sections of Judea, 
near the Jordan, not far from the place where John the Baptist was holding 
his assemblies. Jno. iii. 22, 23. 

2. A little spirit of rivalry and jealousy apparent among the disciples 
of John, when they hear of the people coming to Jesus. They appeal to 
their master, who readily reiterates his declaration of his own subordinate 
character, and the divine mission and character of Jesus. 25 — 36. Give 
some of the more striking utterances. 30, 35 and 36. 

• 3. Herod's interest in John and his regard for him, and John's influence 
over him. Mark vi. 20. What changed all this? Matt. xiv. 3, 4; Mark vi. 
17—19; Luke iii. 19, 20. What indication does this give of John's character 
as a preacher? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 93 

4. What was the result? At whose instigation? Why did not Herod 
put John to death? See above; also, Matt. xiv. 5. What relation was this 
Herod to the one who was king at the time of Christ's birth? 

5. Jesus departs to go to Galilee. What two reasons are given for his 
leaving Judea? Jno. iv. 1, 2; Malt. iv. 12; Mark i. 14. In what condition 
does he return? Lu. iv. 14. 

6. The halt for rest and refreshment near Sychar, in Samaria. Jno. iv, 
4—6. What was there noted about this spot? What allusions to it in the 
Old Testament? Gen. xxxiii. 19, and xlviii. 22; Josh. xxiv. 1. 

7. Who were the Samaritans, and what was their relation to the Jewish 
religion and to the Jews? (Introduction.) 

8. Conversation with the woman at the well. Jno. iv. 7 — 26. Why was 
the woman astonished at his request? 9. To what did this request for water 
lead? 10 — 15. What proof of supernatural power did Jesus give in this 
conversation? 16 — 18. What great spiritual doctrine did he announce? 
20 — 24. His first announcement of his Messiahship. 25, 26. Is it any way 
singular that it should have been made at this time and place? 

9. Return and surprise of the disciples. 27. They are mystified at his 
refusal to eat. His reference to spiritual things in reply. 31 — 38. 

10. The effect of his teaching on the Samaritans. 39 — 42. 

11. Arrival in Galilee. Was Jesus likely to be more popular there than 
elsewhere? Jno. iv. 44. The beginning of his more special ministry. The 
burden of his preaching. The effect. Jno. iv. 43, 44; Mark i. 14, 15; Matt, 
iv. 17; Lu. iv. 14, 15. 



VIII. 
Jesus at Oana Again, and at Nazareth. 

Galilee was the name of the northernmost of the three sections into 
which Palestine was divided, in the time of Christ. It had originally desig- 
nated, as the name implies, a little circle or circuit round about Kedesh in 
the tribe of Naphtali at some distance north of the Lake of Tiberias. It 
embraced the twenty cities which Solomon had given to Hiram, king of 
Tyre, in payment for service in the building of the Temple, but which 
Hiram had rejected, applying to them the term "cabul," disagreeable or 
dirty. I. Kings ix. 11 — 13. The region had been largely inhabited by other 
than Jews; hence the term "Galilee of the Gentiles." Later, the territory 
so designated gradually increased in extent, till it embraced the whole Plain 
of Esdraelon down to a line some distance below the Sea of Tiberias. During 
the Babylonian captivity, it was no doubt wholly occupied by Gentiles. 
But, by the time of Christ, these had in great measure given place to Jewish 
or Israelitish families returning from the dispersion, though doubtless there 
were still some communities of aliens among them. 
3 



94 BIBLE STUDY. 

It appears that the Jewish inhabitants of this region were less cultivated 
than their brethren in Judea; that their dialect was ruder, and that they 
were affected, to some extent, with the character of their heathen neighbors, 
though their religious faith was uncorrupted, and the simple forms of the 
synagogue worship were preserved in their purity. 

It was in the cities, villages and hamlets of this extensive territory that 
a very large proportion of Christ's ministry was exercised; and he appears 
to have ti^aveled over, not only the densely populated Plain of Esdraelon 
and the shores of the inland sea, but sixty or seventy miles farther north to 
the border of Phoenicia and the neighborhood of Caesarea-Philippi, near the 
foot of Mount Hermon. 



John iv. 46— 54. Luke iv. 16— 31. Matt, i v. 14— 16. 

1. The second visit to Cana. Jno. iv. 46. What had taken place at a 
former visit? 

2. Relate the remarkable event which occurred at this time. 47 — 52. 
(a) The distance of Cana from Capernaum? (b) The rank of the man who 
came to Jesus asking help for his child? (c) The rebuke of Jesus to the eager 
curiosity of the people. 48. (d) What appears to have been the state of the 
father's mind? (e) Did Jesus do just what the man asked him to do, or did 
he take some other method of meeting his want? 50. (f) Do you see in this 
any special relation of his action to the morbid curiosity of the multitude? 
(g) What time in the day did the disease abate? How long before the 
father's return? What does this length of time indicate on the part of the 
father? (li) The consequence in the relations of the family to Christ? 

3. Jesus' return to the city where his home had been. Lu. iv, 16. What 
took place on the Sabbath? 17. What was the synagogue? Can you think 
of any reason why Jesus, more than any other man, should have been expected 
to address the people? 

4. What passage did he read from the Hebrew scriptures, and where is 
it found? 18, 19. To whom had the Jews uniformly applied this descrip- 
tion? To whom did Jesus apply it? 20, 21. 

5. How did his actions affect the people? 22. His discernment of their 
expectations and desires. 23. 

6. Did he meet that expectation? What did he say in reference to it? 
24 — 27. What do these words imply? Would nairacles among this people 
have been productive of any profitable result, and why ? 

7. The effect upon the people. 28, 29. What was the reputation of 
Nazareth? Jno. i. 46. Did their action, on this occasion, agree with their 
reputation ? 

8. The frustration of their evil purpose. 30. 

9. Jesus' change of residence. Matt. iv. 13; Lu. iv. 31. What was 
their part of the country called? Matt. iv. 15. What prophecy was fulfilled? 
14—16; Isa. ix. 1, 2. 

10. Give some account of Galilee. (See Introduction to this number.) 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 95 



IX. 

Ohrist's Ministry in the Neighborhood of the Western Coast 
of the Galilean Lake. 

There has been much discussion, especially in modern times, on the sub- 
ject of demoniacal possessions, — of which there are many instances in the 
narrative of Christ's life and work. There are three leading theories. The 
first makes the accounts of these merely symbolical, and having no basis of 
fact. The possession of the devils is, according to this theory, only repre- 
sentative of the prevalence of evil in this world; and their casting out, the 
overthrow of this evil by the power of truth. But evidently this is a part 
of the mythical theory of the Bible held by Strauss and others, and must 
fall with that theory. 

The second view is, that the condition of the afflicted was caused by 
some species of epilepsy, or some cognate disease, generally accompanied by 
insanity. Those that hold to this theory, of course, reject all notions of any 
spiritual personality controlling the "possessed," and claim that Christ and 
his apostles in treating these cases only adapted themselves to the notions 
prevailing at the time among the Jews. Bui certainly this was not at all in 
accordance with Christ's method in dealing with Jewish superstitions, tradi- 
tions and errors. He was accustomed to repudiate and openly rebuke them. 
His method, too, of direct and personal address to these agencies, indicated 
that he regarded them as actual, conscious intelligences, independent of 
their victim. That, as such, they were regarded by him as malevolent and 
vicious, there is no doubt. 

The simplest and most natural interpretation, then, is here, as elsewhere 
in the Bible, the best; and following this, we must conclude that, at the time 
of Christ's appearing in our world as the Redeemer of men, with credentials 
of divine power, the kingdom of darkness was also permitted to put forth its 
malign but extraordinary energy in the opposite direction, and that Jesus 
here, in a concrete and typical manner, showed not only his antagonism to 
wicked spirits but his complete and ready mastery of them. 



Matt. iv. 18—20 ; vii. 28, 29 ; viii. 14—17. Mark i. 16—34. Luke iv. 32—41; v. 1—11. 

1. Jesus being on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and a crowd of peo- 
ple gathering about him, he enters a boat belonging to one of his friends 
and addresses them. Lu. v. 1 — 3; Matt. iv. 18; Mark i. 16. 

2. Miraculous draught of fishes. Lu. v. 4—7. (a) Improbability of suc- 
cess, but obedient disposition, (b) Have we previously met those to whom 
this direction was given? (c) Result of the venture, (d) What practical 
lesson do we learn? 

8. The effect on Peter. 8, 9. What conviction was wrought in liis 
mind concerninir Jesus? 



96 BIBLE STT7PY. 

4. How many disciples were together at this time, and what appears to 
have been their vocation? Had any others been called by Jesus, up to this 
time? 

5. Jesus' answer to Peter, and his promise to them all. Lu, v. 10; Matt. 
iv. 19. What did they do? Matt. iv. 20; Lu. v. 11; Mark i. 20. 

6. His visit to Capernaum, and his preaching there. Mark i. 21 . The 
effect of his preaching on the people. 22; Matt. vii. 28, 29; Lu. iv. 32. Can 
you give any characteristics of Christ's teaching? Did he reason much, 
or quote authorities? 

7. Cure of the demoniac. Mark i. 23—28; Lu. iv. 33—37. (a) The 
nature of the malady, (b) Source of the utterance, "Let us alone," and 
the cause of the antagonism to Jesus? (c) The word and power of Jesus, — 
to what addressed? (d) Effect upon the afflicted man? Effect upon the peo- 
ple? (e) What did this power indicate upon the part of Jesus? (f) Effect 
on the inhabitants of the neighboring regions? 

8. Miraculous healing of Peter's mother-in-law. Mark i. 29 — 31. Matt, 
viii. 14, 15; Lu. iv. 38, 39. What visible means were used for the restora- 
tion? Was there any natural efficacy in these? 

9. Effect of these events upon the inhabitants of Capernaum? Mark i. 
32—34. Matt. viii. 16; Lu. iv. 40, 41. What did Jesus do to the gathering 
multitudes? What injunction did he lay upon the evil spirits? What testi- 
mony did these attempt to give? Why should he rebuke them? 

10. What messianic prophecy was here fulfilled? Matt. viii. 17. Where 
is it found in its original form? 



X. 
Continued Travels and Ministering throughout Galilee. 

Matt. iv. 23—35; viii. 3-4 ; ix. 3-9. Mark i. 35-45 ; ii. 1—14. Lu. iv. 43-44 ; v. 13-38. 

1. The early rising and retirement for devotion. Mark i. 35 ; Lu. iv. 
42. Was this an exceptional act? Can you mention other instances? 

2. The disciples, seeking him, urge the desire of the people to see and 
hear him. Mark i. 36, 37. What does he propose, and what does he do? 
38, 39; Lu. iv. 43, 44. 

3. Extensive journeys and labors. His work and its consequences. 
Matt. iv. 23 — 25. How far did his fame extend and what was the result? 

4. Healing of the leper. Mark i. 40—45; Matt. viii. 2—4; Lu. v. 12—15. 
(a) Nature of this disease? How was it regarded under the Levitical law? 
Lev. xiii. and xiv. (b) What does the leper ask of Jesus, and what does 
the expression show as to the way in which the disease was regarded among 
the Jews? Mark i. 40. (c) How was the cure effected? 41, 42. (d) What 
charge did Jesus give and why? (e) What ceremony and offering of cleans- 
ing was required in such a case? Lev. xiv. 2 — 20. In case of poverty, what 
modification? 21 — 32. (f) What did the man do who had been healed? 
The effect on the work of Jesus? Mark i. 45. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 97 

5. Where do we next find Jesus and under what conditions? Mark ii. 1, 
Distinguished visitors present, and their purpose? Lu. v. 17. 

6. Cure of the paralvtie. Lu. v. 18—26; Matt. ix. 2— 7; Mark ii. 3—12. 
(a) Action of the sick man's friends. What did it indicate ? (b) Startling 
announcement. Effect on the religious teachers present? What was their 
reasoning? Was it sound reasoning? (c) Reply of Jesus, and the sequence. 
What powerful and conclu-Jve argument was implied in this? Was it sup- 
posed that any being could give the power to work miracles, who could not 
also forgive sins? (d) Effect on the convictions and views of the people. 

7. The call of Levi. Mark ii. 13, 14; Matt. ix. 9; Lu. v. 27, 28. (a) By 
what other name was this disciple known? What important position did he 
fill in relation to Christianity? (b) What had been the office and occupation 
of this new disciple? What was its reputation among the Jews? Did Jesus 
know of the character of the employment ? (c) What did the man thus 
called do? The practical lesson? (d) Did Jesus choose his special disciples, 
or did they choose him? 



XI. 

Begimiiiig of the Second Year of Christ's More Public Ministry. 

His Second Public Visit to Jerusalem.— The Ordaining 

of the Apostles. 

We find occasional allusions in the Evangelists to a party designated as 
Herodians. There is also very frequent mention of the Scribes. The for- 
mer comprised those among the Jews who were in favor of securing the 
title of king to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. This prince was the 
son of Herod the Great, and is the same one who imprisoned John the Bap- 
tist at the instigation of his unlawful wife, and afterward put him to death 
under the same influence. He himself and his adherents doubtless had some 
hope that in some way the extensive dominions and power of his father, of 
which only a small fraction had fallen to him, might be restored. But of 
this there was never any even moderate prospect, as the Roman government 
had already reduced the whole region to the condition of a province, and 
the efforts made by Herod Antipas to enlarge his power ignominiously failed. 

But this party during the life of Christ were very active, and owing to 
the intimations and mysterious outgivings which were prevalent concerning 
the new teacher, they manifested an intense antipathy to Christ. The grow- 
ing interest in the character and teaching of Jesus, the extraordinary deeds 
which he did, the messianic hopes excited every-where, the fear that he might 
become the leader of a great popular party the influence of which must be 
adverse to the claims of Herod, made it for their interest to create a hostile 
public sentiment by whatever means lay in their power. As the same kind 
of feeling prevailed in the Pharisaic party, which also was bitterly jealous 
of the increasing influence of Jesus, a coalition for the common purpose of 



98 BIBLE STUDY. 

bringing Christ into disrepute was readily effected, — thougli the two parties 
were, for otlier reasons, antagonistic to each other. 

Tlie Scribes, as the name implies, were originally mere writers or copy- 
ists of the law. Gradually, and not unnaturally, they came to have such 
familiarity with it that they were often called upon for information or inter- 
pretation, and so in time to be teachers and to have authority. In the time 
of Christ, they constituted a kind of professional order similar to that of law- 
yers. They had, so far as popular respect and reverence were concerned, 
come to take the place of the priests, though the chief of the latter still main- 
tained an official dignity. The scribes were principally of the Pharisaic 
party, and, as such, were hostile to Jesus, whose natural yet spiritual inter- 
pretation of the Scriptures was utterly opposed to their technical, formal 
and baldly literal notions. We find them frequently approaching him with 
puzzling questions, and misleading and entangling forms of statement, 
hoping to expose him in some way to contempt. We all know how, at 
almost every point, he met them with so much ease, and disposed of their 
objections with so much wisdom, that we almost overlook the fact that 
there had been any difficulty at all. It became necessary for them, and for 
the whole party to which most of them belonged, if they would make any 
headway against Jesus, to resort to other methods. 



John V. 1—47. Matt. xii. 1—21. Mark ii.23— 28 ; iii. 1— 19. Luke vi. 1—16. 

1. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to attend a feast. Jno. v. 1. 

2. The impotent man healed. 2 — 9. (a) The pool of Bethesda, and the 
popular belief concerning it. (b) The infirm man, the length of his sickness 
and the reason why he had not been cured, (c) Jesus' inquiry, and the an- 
swer, (d) The word of Jesus and the effect. 

3. Rebuke of the man by the Jews, and the ground of it? 10. His 
reply. What was the force of the argument? 

4. Did the restored man recognize Jesus, when he healed him? 13. 
How did he find him out? The advice given. 14. What does this seem to 
imply? 

5. How did the knowledge that it was Jesus who had cured him affect 
the Jews? What fault did they find? 16. 

6. Reply of Jesus. What additional offense did they see in this? 17, 18. 

7. He discourses of his relation to the Father, and the assurance of 
more marvelous things to come. 19, 20. Assertion of his participation, 
as the Son of God, in the power and honor of the Father. 21 — 23. 

8. Solemn assertion that faith in him is essential to salvation from 
eternal condemnation. 24. 

9. Explicit announcement of the Resurrection and the Judgment, — their 
relation to Christ, and the alternative result, 25 — 29. 

10. The judgment and witness of Christ not in his human personality, 
but in his divine. 30 — 32. Testimony of John the Baptist, and his character. 
A higher testimony found in Jesus' works. 33 — 36. 

11. What does he say to the Jews respecting their rejection of evidence? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 99 

The character of the Scriptures? The selfish greed of their worldly life? 
37—44. 

12. Reference to Moses and his testimony. 45—47. What did Moses 
say? Gen. xxii. 18; Deut. xviii. 15 and 18. 

13. The disciples pluck and eat the corn by the wayside on the Sab- 
bath. The Pharisees criticise. Matt. xii. 1,2; Mark ii. 23, 24; Lu. vi. 1, 2. 
Did they object to the taking of the grain, or to the violation of the Sab- 
bath? Was it lawful for them to take the corn of another in this way? 
Deut. xxiii. 25. What indication do we have as to the worldly condition of 
the disciples? 

14. Examples cited in justification of the disciples. Matt. xii. 3—5. 
(Also Luke and Mark.) What was the case of David referred to? I. Sam. 
xxi. 6. 

15. Further fundamental and spiritual principles adduced. 6—8. Mark 
ii. 27, 28. 

16. Cure of the man with a withered hand. Mark iii. 1 — 5. Matt. xii. 
9 — 13; Lu. vi. 6 — 10. (a) Who were the scribes? (b) Their cavilings about 
the Sabbath, (c) The Lord's answer. (See Matthew.) Had they any reply 
to this, or was any possible ? How did their conduct affect Jesus? Mark iii. 5, 
What did he do? (d) What effect did this have upon the caviling scribes? 
What did they do? Why were they angry? (e) Who were the Herodians? 
(See Introduction.) 

17. Jesus' withdrawal to the sea-coast, and the occasion of it. Resort 
of multitudes to him, from great distances. Mark iii. 7, 8; Matt. xii. 15. 

18. Inconvenient experience, and how remedied. Mark iii. 9, 10. The 
effect of his presence upon the evil spirits. Why did he forbid their testi- 
mony? 11, 12. Where, in the Old Testament, do you find the prophecy 
quoted in Matt. xii. 18 — 21? What remarkable intimation in the last clause? 
What is meant by the statements in 19 and 20? 

19. The night of prayer and solemn preparation. Lu. vi. 12, V7hat 
special importance was involved in the action about to take place? 

20. The twelve apostles selected. 13—16. Mark iii. 13—19; Matt x. 
2 — 4. Give the names. Meaning of the word? Can you think of any rea- 
son why twelve were chosen? 

21. Continuation of his ministry. Extraordinary power and efficacy. 
Lu. vi. 17—19. 



XII. 

The Sermon on the Mount. 

Matt, v., vi. and vii. Lu. vi. 20—38. 

1. The Beatitudes. Matt. v. 1 — 10. (Commit.) Special blessings to 
persecuted believers. 11, 12. Woes upon the self-complacent and greedy of 
worldly flattery. Lu. vi. 24—26. 

2. Believers described as salt of the earth and light of the world. 
Matt. V. 13 — 16. Meaning of these metaphors. 



100 BIBLE STUDY. 

3. He rebukes the low, mechanical morality of the Jews of that age. 
17 — 48. (a) Divine character and perpetuity of the moral law of the Old 
Testament. 17 — 19. (b) Insufficiency of the formal righteousness of the 
Pharisees. Murder, adultery and such sins not merely in the outward act, 
but in the hatred and lust of the heart. The crime of easy divorce. 20 — 32. 
(c) Profanity more extensive than verbal utterance of oaths. Simplicity of 
speech enjoined. 33 — 37. (d) Retaliation forbidden; concession to foes rec- 
ommended. 38 — 42, (e) Enemies, as well as friends, to be loved. 43 — 47, 
(f) A purpose of perfect assimilation to the divine character, required. 48. 

4. Unostentatious performance of religious duties, (a) Benevolent 
deeds should be quiet and private, vi. 1 — 4. Individual prayer to be offered 
secretly, and with simple sincerity and directness. The Model Prayer. 
The spirit in which we are to pray. 5 — 15. (c) Fasting private, and between 
the individual and God. 16 — 18. 

5. Treasure in heaven and not on earth. Singleness of purpose indis- 
pensable. 19 — 24. 

6. Reliance on God to supply all our wants. All real needs providen- 
tially met. Illustrated by the feeding of the birds, and the array of the 
grass and the flowers. Man far dearer to God than any of these. 25 — 32. 
The true method of life. 33, 34. 

7. Charity and carefulness in condemning others. We are to scru- 
tinize our own character first, vii. 1 — 5. Circumspection in counseling 
others. 6. 

8. The assured effectiveness of prayer. God's affection prompts him 
to give what is needed. 7 — 11. 

9. The Golden Rule. Necessity of intense diligence in seeking the 
way of truth. Definiteness and exclusiveness of this way. False teachers 
to be avoided. 12 — 15. 

10. A good character to be known by its effects. A good heart 
incompatible with bad actions. Profession versus practice, and the result. 
21—23. 

11. Christ's words the only foundation. They must, however, enter into 
the life, and not merely the intelligence. 24 — 27. 

12. Effect of this teaching upon the populace. 28, 29. 



XIII. 

Continuance of Christ's Galilean Ministry.— Miracles and 
Teaching. 

Matt. viii. 5-13 ; xi. 3—19 ; xii. 22—50. Mark iii. 19—25 ; 28—30. Luke vii. 1—50 ; viii. 
1-3, 20, 21 ; xi. 15, 24^28 ; 37-54. 

1. Cure of the centurion's servant. Lu. vii. 1—10; Matt. viii. 5—13. 
(a) Meaning of the word, "centurion ? " (b) Character of the officer ? Was 
he a Jew ? (c) Why did he not himself come to Jesus ? (d) Why did not 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 101 

Jesus go to the man's house ? What was implied in the message ? (e) How 
did Jesus regard the message and the state of the centurion's mind ? (f ) What 
did he say concerning the extension o^his kingdom beyond the limits of the 
Jewish nation ? (g) Kemarkable feature of this cure ? 

2. Raising of the widow's son at Nain. Lu. vii. 11— 17. (a) How far, 
and in what direction, was this from Capernaum ? (b) Give the particulars, 
(c) Effect on the people ? 

3. John the Baptist sends to Jesus to inquire more particularly con- 
cerning his messiahship. Lu. vii. 18—20. Where was John, at this time? 
3Iatt. xi. 2. 

4. The evidence furnished. Lu. vii. 21—23. Is it probable that John 
was familiar with any prophecy which applied these marks to the Messiah ? 
Tsa. XXXV. 5, 6; Ixi. 1. 

5. Jesus' testimony concerning John. Lu. vii. 24 — 28; Matt. xi. 7 — 12. 
(a) How did John's character differ from that implied in the question of 
Jesus ? Matt. iii. 4. (b) Identification of John with the Elias prophesied of 
as the forerunner, (c) John's greatness as a prophet and preacher, and his 
influence. Lu. xvi, 16; Matt. xi. 12. (d) Inconsistency of the people, in 
their judgment of John and of Christ. Matt. xi. 16 — 19. (e) The class of 
people that accepted John, and the class that rejected him. Lu. vii, 29, 30. 

6. Jesus dines at a Pharisee's house. Remarkable occurrence there. 
Lu. vii. 36 — 38. (a) The character of this woman. Did she give evidence of 
penitence ? 38. (b) The evil thought of the Pharisee. How did Jesus know 
it, and what did he reply ? 40 — 42. The host's answer, (c) Jesus contrasts 
the Pharisee's want of courtesy, and scant hospitality, with the conduct of 
the woman. 44 — 46. (d) His bold declaration concerning her. 47, 48, 
(e) Further cavil, and renewed assurance to the woman. 49, 50. 

7. Who accompanied Jesus, from this time, in his further travels ? 
What remarkable woman do we first meet here ? Did these women, in any 
way, aid in his work ? Lu. viii. 1 — 3. 

8. Apprehensions of Jesus' friends, because of the vast multitudes 
thronging about the house where he lodged. Mark iii. 19 — 21. 

9. Exorcism of a demon which had made the victim blind and dumb. 
Conviction of the people concerning Christ. Matt. xii. 22, 23. 

10. The Pharisaic party, troubled at tiie growth of this conviction, re- 
sort to a singular expedient to diminish it. 24; Mark iii. 22; Lu. xi. 15. 

11. How does he confute this reasoning ? Matt, xii. 25 — 28. What is 
the inference concerning himself ? 

12. The strong man's house and the robber. Jesus and Satan, — the an- 
tagonism. 29, 30. The unpardonable sin, 31, 32. Mark iii. 28 — 30. 

13. The tree and its fruit, — men's moral condition and their acts. Char- 
acter of the Pharisees. Human accountability. Matt. xii. 34 — 37. 

14. Desire of the Pharisees for a sign. 38. Was it sincere ? Reply of 
Jesus? 39—42. 

15. Case of the man from whom the spirit of evil has been expelled, 
but who has not received the Spirit of God. 43 — 45; Lu. xi. 24 — 26. 

16. Admiration of a woman in the audience, and the reply of Jesus. 
Lu. xi. 27, 28. 

4 



102 BIBLE STUDY. 

17. Visit of his mother and brothers. Spiritual relationship placed 
above temporal. Matt. xii. 46—50; Lu. viii. 20, 21; Mark iii. 21—25. 

18. Another invitation to dine with a Pharisee, Marvel of the host at 
the neglect of a ceremonial custom. Lu. xi. 37, 38. Jesus discourses on in- 
ward and outward purity, and rebukes the practice of the Pharisees. 89 — 44, 
(Also, Matt, xxiii. 25—28.) 

19. The lawyer reproved. Plots of the Pharisees. Lu. xi. 45 — 54. 



XIV. 

Continued Teaching and Working in Galilee.— He Begins to 
Make More Constant Use of Parables, 

We note about this time, a change in our Lord's method of teaching. 
Heretofore, it is true, his discourses and conversations have abounded in fig- 
urative expressions, similes, metaphors, and various apt comparisons. The 
terms, parable and parabolic, have often been applied to these; but the parable 
proper seldom appears in the portion of the narrative over which we have 
now gone. The full meaning of the parable implies that it is a story, in 
which imaginary or fictitious incidents are made to illustrate moral and re- 
ligious truth. It differs from simile and metaphor, in that these merely 
suggest the comparison or analogy, without embodying it in a narrative. It 
differs from a fable, in that the latter teaches some homely prudential maxim 
by attributing to lower animals and inanimate objects the qualities and 
properties of rational beings, and so far forth, though attractive and enter- 
taining, they are not and do not pretend to be true to nature; while the par- 
able is used to convey moral and spiritual truth by a higher order of figures, in 
stories which, though fictitious, are always true to nature, it differs from the 
allegory in the narrower sense of the latter, in the fact that the allegory is 
the offspring of a poetical imagination, while the parable is conversant with 
the actual relations of life.* 

" The parables uttered by our Saviour claim preeminence over all others, 
on account of their number, variety, appositeness and beauty. Indeed, it is 
impossible to conceive of a mode of instruction better fitted to engage the 
attention, interest the feelings, and impress the conscience, than that which 
our Lord adopted."! Of these parables of Christ, there are some fifty in 
all, and most of them were uttered by him after the middle of the second 
year of his public ministry. 

In the interpretation of a parable, it is not necessary to find a figurative 
meaning for every expression or every phase in the story. Something doubt- 
less, in most cases, belongs to the filling up of the narrative, or to the dress 
and decoration which is designed to make it presentable and attractive. 
There is always one main thought or principle to be conveyed, and this should 

*See McClintock & Strong's Cyclopaedia,— article, " Parable." tlbid. 



THE LIFE OF CHKIST. 108 

"be first sought. Not unfrequently there are subordinate and incidental les- 
sons which may be deduced; but, in looking for these, care should be taken 
not to produce confusion in respect to the main object. 

The chief motive of Jesus, in speaking in parables, is obvious from what 
has been already said. To the people to whom he primarily addressed him- 
self, it was both a most attractive and effective method of conveying truth, 
and, in some instances, no doubt, truth was presented in this way which 
could not be in any other. But there was another reason which he himself 
avers, and which has been widely misunderstood. He says. Matt. xiii. 13, 14, 
that he speaks to the Jews in parables, ' ' because they, seeing, see not, and 
hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand," thus fulfilling the pre- 
diction of Isaiah. It was not that the truth was ever hidden from those sin- 
cerely desirous of knowing it; but doubtless it was not intended to be revealed 
to those who, through obstinacy and perverseness, were indisposed to receive 
it. There was light enough in these parables, so that all candid and sincere 
souls would follow it up and seek the full meaning, as did the disciples of 
Jesus, while "those who had pleasure in unrighteousness " would not "come 
to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved." To such, the clear revela- 
tion of truth would be "the casting of pearls before swine." 



Luke xii. 1—31 ; xiii. 1—9, 18, 19 ; viii. 4—13, 23—56 ; ix. 57—63 ; v. 33—38. Matt. x. 
36—31 ; xiii. 1—33, 31—53 ; viii. 31-34. Mark iv. 1-41 ; . v. 1—43 ; ii. 18—30. 

1. Jesus rebukes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Concealment and de- 
ception only temporary, Lu. xii. 1 — 3; Matt. x. 26, 27; Mark iv. 22. 

2. The only proper object of fear. God's careful and particular provi- 
dence. He takes care of sparrows, — how much more of men ! Lu. xii. 4— 6; 
Matt. X. 28—31. 

3. Consequences of confessing and denying Christ. The Holy Spirit 
ivill give aid in all trying exigencies of Christ's disciples. Lu. xii. 7 — 12. 

4. Requested to arbitrate between two brothers. Parable of the rich 
man and his meditation, illustrating the folly of covetousness. 13—21. 

5. Calamities not proportioned to the particular sins of the victims. 
Illustrations, xiii. 1 — 5. 

6. Parable of the barren fig-tree. 6 — 9. Danger of unbelief and im- 
penitence. 

7. Preaching to the assembled multitudes, from a boat near the shore. 
Parable of the sower. Matt. xiii. 1 — 9; Mark iv. 1 — 9; Lu. viii. 4 — 8. 

8. Objection to the parables, and the answer of Jesus. Matt. xiii. 
10—15; Lu. viii. 9—12; Mark iv. 10—12. Was there any thing arbitrary or 
unjust in this ? ( See Introduction,— la^t part.) How do men become keen 
to perceive and quick to learn truth, and how do they grow dull and obtuse 
and undiscerning ? 

9. Interpretation of the parable. Matt. xiii. 18—23. (Also, Mark and 
Luke.) 

10. Parable of the tares and the wheat. Matt. xii. 24—30. Of the hus- 
bandman's seed sown. The power of truth to produce effect. Mark iv. 26 — 29. 

11. Of the mustard seed. The extensive development of God's king- 



104 BIBLE STUDY. 

dom from small beginnings. Of the leaven in the dough. Intensive devel- 
opment. Matt. xili. 81—33; Lu. xiii. 18, 19; Mark iv. 30—32. 

12. Characteristics of Christ's teaching, from this time. Matt. xiii. 34, 
35. What is a parable ? How does it differ from a fable ? What note- 
worthy features in Christ's parables ? (See Introduction.) 

1 3. Interpretation of the parable of the tares and the wheat. 36—43. 
What is the lesson taught ? 

14. Treasure hid in the field, and pearl of great price. Supreme value 
of religion. 44 — 46. The well furnished householder. Varied methods of 
teaching truth. 51, 52. 

15. Parable of the net and the fishes. Mixed character of the church 
on earth. 47 — 50. 

16. Going to the other side of the lake, a scribe comes to Jesus, volun- 
teering to be his disciple. He is taught that, to do this, he must be prepared 
to sacrifice all worldly considerations. Matt. viii. 18 — 20; Lu. ix. 57, 58. 
Another, also, instructed that there must be no conditions in his discipleship. 
Matt, viii. 21, 22; Lu. ix. 59—62. 

17. Jesus on the sea asleep in the storm. The terrified disciples awake 
him. He rebukes the storm and makes a calm. Their astonishment. Matt. 
viii. 23—27; Mark iv. 38—41; Lu. viii. 22—25. 

18. Cure of the demoniacs. Matt. viii. 28—34; Mark v, 1—20; Lu, viii, 
26 — 39. (a) How do the Evangelists differ in their statements ? (b) How 
did the evil spirit affect the victim ? (c) Effect of the sight of Jesus ? (d) 
Conversation with the man, (e) Request of the evil spirits, (f) The per- 
mission and the consequences, (g) Effect on the people? On the man 
healed ? 

19. Feast at Levi's house. Who was Levi ? The kind of people pres- 
ent. Cavils of the Pharisees, and Jesus' reply. Matt. ix. 10 — 13; Mark ii, 
15-17; Lu. V. 29—32. 

20. The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for not fasting. Reply 
of Jesus. Matt. ix. 14, 15; Mark ii. 18—20; Lu. v. 33—35, 

21. Parables of patched garments, and new wine in old bottles. Actions 
must be adapted to circumstances. Matt. ix. 16, 17; Mark ii. 21, 22; Lu, v, 
36—38, 

22. Jesus summoned to the daughter of Jairus. Faith of a woman on 
the way, and her marvelous cure. Death of the ruler's daughter, and her 
miraculous restoration. Mark v, 22 — 43; Matt. ix. 18—26; Lu. viii. 41 — 56. 



XV. 

Jesus Continues to Teach in Galilee and to Manifest his Divine 

Power. 

Matt. ix. 37—38 ; xiii. 54r-58 ; x. 1—14, 40—43 ; xiv. 6—36 ; Mark vi. 7—56 ; Lu. ix. 1—17 ; 

John vi. 1—71. 

1. Cure of the two blind men. Matt, ix. 27 — 31. What is implied 
here and elsewhere by the title, " Son of David," as applied to Jesus ? 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 105 

2. A dumb man under the dominion of an evil spirit dispossessed, and 
his speech restored. Effect on the people; on the Pharisees. 32—34. 

3. Jesus revisits Nazareth, and teaches in the synagogue. Astonish- 
ment and questionings of the inhabitants. What is implied in their utter- 
ances ? The effect of the state of their minds on the work of Jesus. Mark 
vi. 1, 6; Matt. xiii. 54—58. 

4. Jesus, in his travels, is greatly affected at the condition and wants of 
the masses of the people. Laments the fewness of workers. Matt. ix. 35— 
38; Lu. X. 2. 

5. The apostles sent on their first mission, and their directions. Matt. x. 
1—14; Mark vi. 7—11; Lu. ix. 1—5. (a) To whom sent. Matt. x. 5, 6. (b) 
Their message. 7. (c) Their work, land 8. (d) Provision for their journey. 
9, 10. (e) Support among the people, and what they have a right to expect, 
(f ) Kule in case of rejection. - 

6. What is implied in the acceptance or rejection of Christ's ambassa- 
dors ? Matt. X. 40; Lu. ix. 16. A reward for any service, however simple, if 
rendered in the name of Jesus. Matt. x. 41, 42. 

7. The apostles depart to do the work assigned them. Jesus, also, goes 
on with his own work. Mark vi. 12; Matt. xi. 1. 

8. John the Baptist put to death by Herod Antipas, at the instigation 
of Herodias. The festival; the dance; Herod's rash oath; the atrocious and 
unexpected demand; the judicial murder; the action of John's disciples. 
Mark vi. 21—28; Matt. xiv. 6—12. 

9. Herod alarmed at the fame of Jesus. His fear and perplexity as he 
remembers his flagrant guilt concerning John. Mark vi. 14 — 16. (Also, 
Matt, and Luke.) 

10. Return and report of the apostles. They retire to recuperate at a 
distance from the throngs coming and going. But the multitude still eagerly 
following, Jesus, in his compassion for them, continues his instruction. Mark 
vi. 30 — 34; Lu. ix. 10, 11; Jno. vi. 1 — 9. Another reason why Jesus deemed 
it advisable to leave the more central parts of Galilee. Matt. xiv. 13, 14. 

11. Miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Give the particulars. 
How did the fragments remaining at the close of the meal compare with the 
original amount ? Markvi. 35—44; Matt. xiv. 15—21; Lu. ix. 12—17; Jno. 
vi. 5—13. 

12. Effect of this miracle on the people, and their disposition towards 
Jesus. How did he act ? Jno. vi. 15. 

13. The disciples, leaving Jesus to dismiss the multitudes, embark to cross 
the sea, and are troubled with a rough wind. Jesus, after spending a part of 
the night in prayer, comes to them, walking on the water. Their fright. 
He allays it. Peter's impulsive request granted. His failure and rescue. 
Jesus enters the ship, and the storm ceases. Amazement of the disciples. 
Matt. xiv. 22—31; Markvi. 45—56; Jno. vi. 15—21. 

14. Arrival in Gennesaret, and miraculous work there. Matt. xiv. 34 — 
36; Markvi. 53—56. Return to Capernaum, and the people follow and seek 
him. Jno. vi. 22— 24. 

15. His discourse. 25 — 65. Give some of the principal points of this 
conversation. 



106 BIBLE STUDY. 

16. Some of the disciples withdrawing on account of the smallness of 
their faith, he asks the Twelve whether they will also leave him. The reply 
of Peter. Christ's prediction of the treachery of one of them. 66 — 71. 



XVI. 

Beginning of the Third Year of Christ's Public Ministry.— 
Continues his Labors in Galilee.— The Pharisaic Party still 
Watch, Cavil and Plot to Entangle Him, — Begins gradually 
to Unfold to his Immediate Disciples what the Tragical 
Outcome of his Mission will be. 

John vii. 1. Mark vii. and viii. Matt. xv. and xvi. Lu. xii. 54—57 ; ix. 18—37. 

1. On account of the animosity of the Jews, Jesus does not go up as 
usual to the Passover at Jerusalem. Jno. vii. 1. Pharisees and scribes come 
from Jerusalem to watch him. They find fault with the disciples for not 
observing the traditional washings. What were some of these ? Mark vii. 
1—5; Matt. xv. 1, 3. 

2. Jesus rebukes this undue stress on mere outward forms, and so little 
on inward purity; and this scrupulousness towards human traditions, while 
neglecting divine injunctions. Instances. Mark vii. 6 — IB; Matt. xv. 8 — 6. 
The real source of defilement. Mark vii. 14, 15; Matt. xv. 10, 11. 

3. The Pharisees offended. Jesus' remarks thereat. 12 — 14. The 
matter further explained to the disciples. 15 — 20; Mark vii. 17 — 23. 

4. Jesus going to the border of Phoenicia to seek retirement, is eagerly 
sought by a Gentile woman, who beseeches him to relieve her aflflicted daugh- 
ter. Jesus intimates that his work is among the Israelites. But this only 
emphasises her faith and humble devotion. This faith honored, and her 
child healed. Matt. xv. 21—28; Mark vii. 24—80. 

5. Returning near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus cures a deaf man with an 
impediment in his speech. The charge not to publish it. The charge dis- 
regarded. Mark vii. 31—37. 

6. Great numbers resort to Jesus to be healed. Four thousand mirac- 
ulously fed. He recrosses the sea. Matt. xv. 30 — 38; Mark viii. 1 — 10. 

7. The caviling Pharisees demand a sign in the heavens. He refuses 
the sign, and shows them their insincerity and inconsistency. Matt. xvi. 
1—4; Mark viii. 11, 12; Lu. xii. 54—57. 

8. The disciples, in returning, forget to take bread. They are cautioned 
concerning the leaven of the Pharisees, etc. They misunderstand, and are 
rebuked for the spiritual dullness. The explanation. Matt. xvi. 5 — 12; Mark 
viii. J 3— 21. 

9. Cure of the blind man at Bethsaida. Method of the restoration. 
Gradual restoration. Mark viii. 22 — 26. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 107 

10. In the neighborhood of Caesarea-Philippi. Where was this ? Inquiry 
as to the popular opinion concerning Christ. Reply of the disciples. In- 
quiry as to their own belief. Peter's declaration. Christ's approval and grand 
announcement. Silence enjoined for the present concerning their faith in 
his Messiahship. Matt. xvi. 13—20; Mark viii. 27—30; Lu. ix. 18—21. 

11. Jesus begins to show his disciples what must be the issue of his 
earthly mission. Matt. xvi. 21; Mark viii. 31, 32; Lu. xvii. 22. 

12. Peter's ardent remonstrance. Jesus rebukes him for his worldly 
conceptions. Matt. xvi. 22, 23; Mark viii. 32, 33. 

13. The great condition of Christian discipleship. Loss and gain of 
soul and life. The great problem; Matt. xvi. 24—26; Mark. viii. 34—36; 
Lu. ix. 23—25. 

14. Confessing and denying Christ. His coming kingdom and judg- 
ment. Matt. xvi. 27, 28; Mark viii. 38; Lu. ix. 26, 27, and xii. 8. 



XVII. 

The Transfiguration.— Instructions to the Disciples.— Sending 
Out of the Seventy. 

Matt, xvii.; xviii. 3—25 ; x. 28—36. Mark ix. 3—50. Lu. ix. 38-56 ; x. 1—11. Jno. vii. 

3—10. 

1. The Transfigukation. Matt. xvii. 1 — 8; Markix. 2 — 8; Lu. ix. 28 
— 30. (a) The three special friends of Jesus chosen to accompany him to 
the mountain, (b) Jesus at prayer, and the sudden strange radiance of his 
countenance, and the brilliant appearance of his raiment, (c) The manifes- 
tation of Moses and Elias conversing with Jesus, (d) Effect on the disciples. 
Peter's wish, (e) The bright cloud and the supernatural voice. 

2. The disciples' charged not to divulge the vision till after Christ's res- 
urrection. The questioning as to the meaning of this resurrection. Matt, 
xvii. 9; Mark ix. 9, 10; Lu. ix. 30. 

3. Inquiry concerning the prophecy of Elias' coming. Where is this 
prophecy? How does Jesus explain it? He again instructs them that his 
life will end in persecution and violence. Matt. xvii. 10 — 13; Mark ix. 11—13. 

4. Cure of the demoniac, whose case was too obdurate for the disciples. 
Characteristics of this possession. Terrible convulsions at the exorcism. 
Mark ix. 14 — 27; Matt. xvii. and Lu. ix. 

5. The disciples inquire concerning their inability to effect this cure. 
The Lord's reply, and mild rebuke, Mark ix. 28, 29. What illustration is 
given of the power of faith ? Matt. xvii. 20; Lu. xvii. 5, 6. 

6. Jesus, for the present, avoids public notice, and privately instructs 
his disciples. He still urges upon their reluctant minds the facts of his 
coming sufferings and sacrifice and subsequent triumph. Mark ix. 30—32. 
Matt. xvii. 22, 23; Lu. ix. 43—45 



108 BIBLE STUDY. 

7. Eeturn to Capernaum. The tribute money, and the coin in the fish's 
mouth. Matt. xvii. 24—27. 

8. Dispute among the disciples about precedence in the coming king- 
dom. Why were they silent when Jesus questioned them? What did he 
say? Mark ix. 33—35; Lu. ix. 46, 47. 

9. Illustration of the nature of conversion. What are the qualities 
essential to Christian discipleship ? What further is said concerning the re- 
lation of childlike character to himself? Markix. 36, 37; Matt, xviii. 2—5. 
Lu. ix. 46—50. 

10. How are we to regard persons doing good, but who are not full be- 
lievers, or are possibly unbelievers ? Mark ix. 38, 39; Lu. ix. 49, 50. 

11. The guilt and doom of those who make others to fall. The grace 
of God in the soul like salt in its conserving power. Mark ix. 42 — 50. 

12. Caution against thinking lightly of the humblest of Christ's real 
followers. Matt, xviii. 10. 

13. How to act in case of a difficulty with a Christian brother. Power 
and authority of the Christian body. Power of united faith. 15 — 20. 

14. Forbearance, charity, repeated forgiveness to an offending brother. 
Parable of the servant whose great debt was forgiven, but who forgave not 
the most trifling debt of a fellow-servant. What is the application ? 21 — 35. 

15. Jesus appoints and commissions seventy additional disciples for 
evangelistic work. Instructions to them, as also to the apostles. Lu. x. 1 — 11. 
Matt X. 23—26. 

16. Jesus urged by some to go to Jerusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles. 
Their professed reasons. His reasons for not going immediately. He after- 
wards goes up privately. Jno. vii. 2 — 10. 

17. The journey through Samaria. Inhospitality of the people. Indig- 
nation of James and John. The rebuke. Lu. ix. 51 — 56. 

18. Healing of the ten lepers. What direction was given, and the result? 
Thoughtful gratitude of one, and the unappreciativeness of the others. 
What made it more singular in the case of this one ? Lu. xvii. 11 — 19. 



XVIII. 

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles.— The Pharisees Dispute 
with Him,— His Discourses and Works. 

John vii. 11-53 ; viii.; Matt. xi. 35-30 ; Lu. x. 17-42; xi. 5—8. 

1. The people inquire for Jesus at the feast, and discuss his character. 
His arrival among them. He teaches in the Temple, and the people wonder 
at his ability, as he had not been a scholar in any of the great schools. Jno. 
vii. 11—15. 

2. Jesus, answering their thought, assures them that he receives his doc- 
trine from God. 16. Lays down the grand, simple, comprehensive method 



THE LIFE OF CHKIST. 109 

1)7 which all essential, saving truth may be ascertained by each man for him- 
self. 17. Consider its full meaning. 

3. Difference between the man who speaks in his own name and him 
who speaks in God's name. 18. Men not made righteous by the law. Why? 
Eeproaches the leaders with the intent to put him to death. 19. 

4. They accuse him of having a devil, and deny their intent. He 
shows their inconsistency. 20 — 26. 

5. His boldness and ready mastery of his foes excites anew the wonder 
of the people, who also wonder that the leaders do not carry out their hostile 
purpose. They stifle the conviction that this is the Messiah, by a popular 
fallacy. 25—27. 

6. Their cavils answered. Their convictions shown to be strong 
enough. The desire to put him to death still thwarted by fear. The Phar- 
isees, alarmed at the inclination of the people towards him, attempt and 
again fail to cause his arrest. 28 — 32. 

7. The Jews puzzled at his discourse of his personal presence and his 
future going away. 33 — 36. 

8. He is declared as the source and inspiration of life to believers. 
37—39. How does he put this thought elsewhere ? Matt. xi. 28—30. 

9. Deepening conviction, opposition and dispute. Jno. vii. 40 — 44. 
Singular report of officers sent to arrest him. Ill-natured rebuke of the 
council. Protest of Nicodemus. Persistence of the opposition, which is 
still futile. 45—53. 

10. A night out of the city. Return to the Temple. The adulterous 
woman. Jesus' marvelous judgment, and the discomfiture of the accusers. 
Tiii. 1—11. 

11. Continued discourse. *' The Light of the world." Dispute of the 
Pharisees, as to his record and testimony, and Jesus' reply. Intimate divine 
relationship. The Pharisees ignorant because of the state of their hearts. 
12 — 20. Their great destroying sin. Replies to their oft- repeated question 
who he is, by referring to his previous answer and to his mission from the 
Father. "Lifted up " and thus revealed. Perpetual acceptance with the 
Father. 21—29. 

12. Freedom by the truth, and truth through obedience. The Jewish 
claim of freedom as a birthright refuted. The only genuine freedom. In- 
consistency of claiming righteousness through descent from Abraham, and 
then seeking to murder him who was speaking the truth in Abraham's spirit. 
The children of Satan rather than Abraham. 30 — 45. 

13. Challenges proof of any wrong in himself. Accused of being a Samar- 
itan and a demoniac. He calmly denies this. Startles them by announcing 
that those who obey him shall never see death. Jews ask. Was he greater than 
Abraham ? He refers to the honor which the Father puts upon him. 46 — 55. 

14. Jesus declares his antecedence and consequent superiority to Abra- 
ham. The rage of the zealots impel them to stone him, but he passes out 
unharmed. 56—59. 

15. Return and report of the seventy. The true ground of rejoicing. 
Lu. X. 17 — 20. Thanks that the simple may understand that at which the 
wise stumble. 21. 22; Matt. xi. 25—27. 



110 BIBLE STUDY. 

16. The lawyer's question and the answer. "Who is my neighbor ? " 
Parable of the man falling among thieves. Lu. x. 25 — 37. 

17. Visit to Mary and Martha. Characteristics of the sisters. Jesus' 
discrimination. 38 — 42. 

18. Importunacy in prayer illustrated. Lu. xi. 5 — 8. 



XIX. 

Continued Teaching at Jerusalem.— Extraordinary Miracles. 
Increasing Bitterness of the Pharisaic Party. 

The careful observer can hardly fail to see that, as Jesus approaches the 
end of his earthly career, his discourses become more profoundly spiritual. 
It is to the period with which we are now dealing that most of the extended 
discourses in John's Gospel are to be referred. That these, together with 
the startling miracles of this period, greatly affected the masses of the people 
and tended to draw them to him, is evinced not only by the record but also 
by the fact that the growing malignity of the Pharisees and their extraordi- 
nary efforts to destroy his popularity barely succeeded, notwithstanding the 
powerful influence which they had, and the machinery at their command. 
We are now in the last six months of Christ's public ministry. The time 
occupied in the present study extends from November to January of our 
time. Most of this was spent in Jerusalem and the vicinity, though there 
appear to have been two excursions to the neighborhood of the Jordan and 
to the country beyond. Some of his most remarkable miracles were now 
performed right here at Jerusalem, and in the most public manner possible, 
so that there was no disputing them except by resort to the most shallow 
sophistry. Indeed, in spite of the powerful partisan and malicious motives 
to the contrary, there appears to have been an almost universal belief, even 
among the priests and scribes and Pharisees, that the miracles performed by 
Jesus were genuine. The force of these could only be broken or minified 
by the pretense that they were wrought by diabolical rather than divine power. 
Yet this opinion could have had but little weight among the people, as the 
prevalent doctrine did not allow of such a supposition. Accordingly, we see 
that the most desperate measures were necessary, in order to prevail against 
Jesus. Even these would have doubtless been unavailable, but for the fact 
that it was our Lord's purpose to lay down Ms life, in execution of his grand 
scheme of redemption. 

John ix.; x.; xi. 1—54 ; Mark x. 1 ; Matt. xix. 1, 3. 

1. Cure of the man blind from his birth. Jno. ix. 1 — 7. Astonishment 
and questionings of the people. Statement of the man. 8 — 12. 

2. The man brought to the Pharisees, who examine him closely. The 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. HI 

simple story of the cure. The enemies of Jesus, having no other ground of 
fault, denounce the deed because done on the Sabbath. The common sense 
of the people revolts from the notion that such a deed can be sinful. 13 — 16. 
The malignants ask the opinion of the cured man, but immediately reject it 
and pretend to suspect him of imposture. They inquire of his parents who 
confirm the story of his congenital blindness, but warily refrain from ex- 
pressing an opinion. 17 — 23. 

3. The man being exhorted to reject his deliverer, makes a memorable 
answer. 24, 25. Questioned again, he answers somewhat sharply. Vexed 
that they can find no ground of accusation, they use invective, to which he 
replies with keen sarcasm. They reproach him, and expel him from the 
synagogue. 26—34. 

4. Jesus finds him. He becomes spiritually as well as physically healed. 
35 — 38. The Pharisees rebuked and condemned. 39 — 41. 

5. Parable of the shepherd and sheep. Jesus both a shepherd and a 
door to his flock, x. 1 — 5. Explanation. 6 — 9. Diiference between real 
and false leaders and guides. The love of Christ for his people evinced by 
his giving his life for them, thus again showing his divine character and re- 
lationship. 10 — 15. 

6. He desires to save all, and for this voluntarily suffers death, having 
so covenanted with the Father. The people divided; some malign, others 
favor him. 16—21. 

7. Some proof, which shall compel belief, demanded. He refers to 
his works as suificient evidence, and rebukes the moral perversity which 
rejects it. 22 — 26. Where and when was this ? Does God compel religious 
faith? 

8. Reverts to the sheep and shepherd. Christ's infinite saving power. 
The same as that of the Father, with whom he claims to be one. 28 — 30. 

9. The Jews, astonished and enraged at his words, threaten to stone 
him. He calmly reasons with them, and appeals to his works, which, by 
their own doctrine, could only be wrought by the power of God, and which no 
bad man could do. Confounded by his unanswerable words they seek to ar- 
rest him, but are not able. 31 — 39. 

10. The difference between him and John the Baptist. 4.0 — 42. 

11. Sickness of Lazarus announced. Relation of Jesus to the family. 
How he regarded this sickness. His delay, xi, 1 — 6. 

12. Return to Judea. Conversation by the way. Announcement con- 
cerning Lazarus misunderstood, and explained. Special design in the cir- 
cumstances, the end of which will be the increase of the disciples' faith. 
7—15. 

13. Arrival at Bethany. Distance from Jerusalem ? Mourning and 
sympathy. Martha's partial faith. Jesus' assurance of Lazarus' restoration 
referred by her to the general resurrection. Grand announcement of Christ's 
relation to the resurrection. 17 — 28. 

14. Mary meets Jesus. Resort to the grave. The Jews sympathize but 
question. The command of Jesus, and astonishment of Martha. Jesus 
prays. Lazarus called, and comes forth from the tomb. 29 — 44. 

15. Some Jews convinced by this astounding event. Others report to 



112 BIBLE STUDY. 

the Pharisees. Their consternation. Uuconscious prophecy of the High 
Priest. 42—53. 

16. The still more settled purpose to effect Christ's death. His with- 
drawal to another place. 53 — 54. What effect does more than sufficient evi- 
dence have on those that reject that ? Goes beyond Jordan, and again 
teaches the multitudes who gather to him there. Mark xli.; Matt. xix. 1, 2. 



XX. 

Traveling and Laboring in the Country North-East of Jerusa- 
lem and on the East of the Jordan. — Parables and Miracles. 

Lukexiii.lO— 33; xiv.; xv.; xvi.; xvii.30,21. Matt. vii. 13, U ; xxii.5— 14; xviii.ll— 14. 

1. The woman afflicted eighteen years healed on the Sabbath. The 
synagogue ruler indignant at this profanation of the day. Discomfited 
by Jesus' reply. Lu. xiii. 10 — 17. 

2. Disciples' inquiry concerning the number of the saved. They are ad- 
vised that it is a more important question to determine their own salvation. 
A mere profession not enough to save a man. Desperate condition of those 
who have only this to plead. 22—27; Matt. vii. 13, 14. 

3. Descent from the patriarchs gives the Jews no claim to the kingdom 
of God. May be excluded for unbelief, while Gentiles are admitted through 
faith. Lu. xiii. 28—30. 

4. The Pharisees attempt to intimidate him, by showing Herod's hos- 
tility. His reply. 31—33. 

5. Enemies watch his action in respect to a case of healing on the Sab- 
bath. He asks a question which they dare not answer. The cure performed, 
xiv. 1—6. 

6. Parable of guests at supper, and the assumption of positions of 
honor. Propriety of humility in self -estimation. Givers of feasts exhorted 
to invite the poor instead of the rich. A more unmistakable and genuine 
hospitality. 7 — 14. 

7. Parable of the Wedding Supper. Invitation to men universally to 
partake of the provisions of grace. Matt. xxii. 1 — 4; Lu. xiv. 16, 17. Ex- 
cuses made and the rejection by those to whom the invitation primarily 
comes. These often perish while the despised and outcast are brought in. 
The Jews, and the highly-favored in Christian lands, in the former class. 
Matt. xxii. 5—10; Lu. xiv. 18—23. 

8. The guest without the wedding-garment. Matt.xxii.il — 14. What 
does it symbolize ? 

9. The multitude instructed that Christian discipleship implies sacrifices 
and self-denial. They are exhorted to count the whole cost before pledging 
themselves to him. Does this apply now as well as then ? Lu, xiv. 25 — 33. 

10. Jesus' association with the wicked and despised people censured. 
Lu. XV. 1, 2. What utterance of his, elsewhere, explains this ? Lu. xix. 10. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 118 

Matt, xviii. 11. Further illustrated by parables, (a) The rejoicing of the 
finding of the lost sheep, (b) The lost piece of silver. Lu. xv. 3 — 10; Matt, 
xviii. 12 — 14. 

11. Parable of the Prodigal Son. Much greater joy over the return of 
a lost soul, than over those who have not apostatized. Give the story, and 
show its application. Lu. xv. 11 — 32. 

12. Parable of the dishonest steward. "We may make such use of those 
temporal advantages which are a snare to selfish and worldly men as to make 
them of great spiritual advantage. Lu. xvi. 1 — 9. 

13. Faithfulness in temporal things essential to spiritual excellence. 
Singleness of purpose necessary. 10 — 13. 

14. Covetous Pharisees offended at his discourse. Parable of the Eich 
Man and Lazarus. The best conditioned in this world often totally unpre- 
pared for eternity; while those who are destitute here, may be abundantly 
provided for there, through faith and faithfulness. Permanency of the fu- 
ture state. 14 — 26. 

15. Extraordinary and astonishing evidence of no value to those who 
already are convinced by the ordinary means. 27 — 31. 

16. The kingdom of God not outward and temporal, but inward and 
spiritual. Lu. xvii. 20, 21. 



XXI. 
His Labors in Perea, and Between the Jordan and Jerusalem, 

Luke xviii.; xvii. 7—10 ; xix. 3—37. Matt. xix. 3—39 ; xx.; xxv. 14—30 ; xxvi. 6—13. 
Mark x.; xiv. 3—8. John xi. 55—57 ; xii. 1—8. 

1. Parable of the unjust magistrate and the widow. "Value of persist- 
ent prayer. Lu. xviii. 1 — 8. 

2. Parable of the Pharisee and the publican at prayer. Self -righteous- 
ness and genuine humility contrasted. 9 — 14. 

3. The Pharisees still ply him with questions intended to embarrass. 
The subject of divorce. His clear statement of the true doctrine. A defi- 
nite moral rule. The sacredness of marriage, and the sin of its violation. 
Matt. xix. 3—9; Markx. 2—12. 

4. Disciples dejected at the severity of the doctrine. Jesus' reply. 
Matt. xix. 10—12. 

5. Blessing little children. Objection of the disciples. He rebukes 
them and receives the children. Mark x. 12, 13; Matt. xix. 13 — 15; Lu. 
xviii. 15—17. 

6. How to be saved. Conversation with the rich young ruler. Mark 
X. 17—22; Matt. xix. 16—22; Lu. xviii. 18—24. (a) The earnest inquiry, 
(b) Direction to observe the commandments, (c) Profession of entire legal 
obedience, (d) "One thing thou lackest." Inordinate love of wealth 
must be crucified, (e) Mortification and sorrow at the discovery. 

7. Jesus' view of the perilous character of the love of wealth. The 



114 BIBLE STUDY. 

disciples astonished. The principle enforced by a striking simile. The dis- 
ciples reassured. Mark x. 23—27; Matt. xix. 23—26; Lu. xviii. 24—27. 

8. Peter's profession, and Christ's reply. The vast compensations. 
Matt. xix. 27—29. (Also, Mark and Luke.) 

9. Parable of the servant's relation to the master. Man's obedience 
not meritorious. Lu. xvii. 7 — 10. 

10. Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. The laborers of an hour 
receive the same as the toilers of a day. God's bestowment not according 
to merit, as we merit nothing; but on other grounds. Matt. xx. 1 — 18. 

11. On the way towards Jerusalem. Feeling of fear and dread falling 
upon the disciples. Jesus again instructs them concerning his coming arrest, 
prosecution, maltreatment and death. Their slowness to apprehend the case. 
Mark x. 32—34; Matt. xx. 17—19; Lu. xviii. 31—34. 

12. Ambitious request of James and John, through their mother. Mis- 
apprehension of the nature of Christ's kingdom. Jesus' remonstrance and 
mild rebuke. Matt. xx. 20—23; Mark x. 35—40. 

13. Jealousy of the other disciples. Reproof and instruction of the 
Master. Matt. xx. 24—28; Mark x, 41—45. 

14. Healing of Bartimeus and another of their blindness. Where was 
this ? The multitude rebuke the afflicted as they cry for help. But Jesus 
invites them to him, and makes them whole. Mark x. 46 — 52; Matt. xx. 
29—34; Lu. xviii. 35—43. 

15. The story of Zaccheus. Lu. xix. 2—9. (a) What was Zaccheus' 
office ? Was it a popular one ? Why ? (b) His eagerness to see Jesus, and 
his device, (c) The Saviour's recognition of his sincerity, and the honor 
bestowed on him. (d) Zaccheus' practical penitence and proposed righteous- 
ness, (e) His acceptance by Christ. 

16. Parable of the Talents. Our responsibility in proportion to our 
abilities. Doom of unfaithful servants. 11 — 27; Matt. xxv. 14 — 30. 

17. The enemies of Jesus inquire about his coming to the Passover. 
Jno. xi. 55 — 57. Their malevolent purpose. 

18. The anointing with the precious ointment, (a) The feast, the host 
and the guests, (b) Mary's costly offering, (c) The censure of the expensive- 
ness of the offering. Who made this objection ? Was there a reason ? (d) 
Mary justified by the Master. The action anticipatory of his near decease. 
Jno. xii, 1 — 8; Matt, xxvi, 6 — 13; Mark xiv, 2 — 8, What prediction con- 
cerning this act of Mary's is still being fulfilled ? 



XXII. 

Christ's Public Entry into Jerusalem in Fulfillment of Messi- 
anic Prophecy, and Subsequent Events. 

We now come to the last week of Christ's public ministry. It was a 
week voluminous in the number and weight of the incidents which belong 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 115 

to it. In the record are found some of the most remarkable instances of the 
utter discomfiture and humiliation of his foes by the ready replies of Jesus 
to their most skillfully devised and ingeniously complicated questions. So 
complete was this defeat, even in the estimation of the populace, that the 
most ordinary worldly prudence might have turned it into a permanent 
triumph, and have made Jesus the enthroned leader of the people to the utter 
overthrow of the power of the Pharisaic and priestly party. It was the very 
event which this party had wrought so desperately and unscrupulously to 
prevent, — a position which Jesus, at the moment when it was within his easy 
reach, resolutely but calmly declined to accept; since he had come forth, not 
for the purpose of worldly dominion and triumph, but to die a cruel and ig- 
nominious death. He had "power to lay down his life," and this power, 
instead of the other, he accepted and exercised. 

This was the period, too, of several of those most powerful and marvel- 
ous discourses of Christ, chiefly to his disciples, recorded in the last part of 
Matthew's and John's Gospels. 

The week began with the Sunday before the Passover, commemorated 
since by the Christian Church as "Palm Sunday," Jesus had been journey- 
ing from the Jordan with his disciples, and had just arrived in the vicinity of 
Jerusalem when he made preparation for this prophetically predicted public 
entry, as the Messiah, — the anointed Prince of Israel, of David's line, — into 
the capital city of his nation. It was the only public ofllcial demonstration 
that he made. And what a strange demonstration it was ! It was one of min- 
gled grandeur and simplicity, of exulting triumph and genuine humility. 
There was no military display, no magnificent civic procession, no chariots or 
horsemen, no even moderate elaborate previous preparation. Simply himself, 
in his ordinary garb, surrounded by his few humble companions, who, in- 
stead of more gaudy trappings, had spread their outer garments upon the 
young ass on which the Master rode. But the progress and the entry were 
triumphant, nevertheless. The multitude, moved as by one mighty impulse, 
hailed him with hosannas as David's royal heir, divinely designated, and 
coming to assume his throne. Nor was Jesus for a moment deceived by 
this universal popular acclamation. He knew that, ere the week would 
end, all this enthusiasm would cease ; that a disastrous revulsion would 
come; and that the same lips that now shouted, "Hosanna," would cry: 
"■ Away with him ! Crucify him !" Nevertheless, it became him thus to 
present himself to his nation, and to enter in this kingly way into the sacred 
city. 

Matt, xxi.; xxii. 15—46 . Mark xi.; xii. Lu. xix. 29—48 ; xx. John xii. 13—19. 
1. The preparation for the official entry. Matt. xx. 1 — 9; Mark xi. 1 
— 10; Lu. xix. 29—38; Jno. xii. 12 — 18. (a) The two disciples sent to secure 
the young ass. (b) They find it according to the prediction, and, having 
explained to the owner what was wanted, bring it to Jesus, (c) He rides 
upon the beast, with no other trappings but the disciples' raiment, (d) The 
prophetic declaration. Where is it found ? (e) Greeting of the people, and 
their joyful acclamations acknowledging him as the Messiah. What event 
had enhanced this enthusiasm ? Was it lasting ? 



116 BIBLE STUDY. 

2. Depression of the Pharisees. Jno. xii. 19. They, with unconcealed 
disgust, ask him to rebuke his friends. His remarkable reply. Lu. xix. 39,' 40. 

3. The pathetic lamentation over Jerusalem. Its grand rejected oppor- 
tunity about to cease forever. The appalling consequences, Lu. xix. 41 — 44. 

4. Excitement in the city at Christ's entrance. Inquiry and answer. 
Matt. xxi. 10, 11. 

5. Jesus in the Temple. Expulsion again of the traffickers. How 
does his denunciation of their conduct differ from that uttered on the 
former occasion ? 12, 13; Mark xi. 15—17; Lu. xix. 45, 46. (See, also, John 
ii. 16.) 

6. He exercises his healing power upon those who come to him in the 
Temple. Laudation and joy of the people, and even of the children. Dis- 
pleasure of the Pharisees who surlily call his attention to this. The strik- 
ing reply. Matt. xxi. 14 — 16. 

7. Lodging at Bethany on Sunday night, he returns in the morning to 
Jerusalem. The Barren Fig-Tree cursed. The moral and spiritual lesson 
implied. 17—19. 

8. Teaches in the Temple. Eagerness of the people to hear him, and 
the growing malice of the Pharisees seeking for pretexts to destroy him. 
Lu. xix. 47, 48; also, xxi. 37, 38, 

9. Tuesday morning, returning from Bethany, the disciples marvel at 
what had befallen the fig-tree. Jesus makes it the occasion of teaching the 
power of real faith. Matt. xxi. 20, 22; Mark xi. 20—24. 

10. The Pharisees demanding of him the authority for his assumptions, 
Jesus, in turn, demands of them their opinion concerning John's mission. 
Their painful dilemma, and humiliating and cowardly answer. Matt. xxi. 
23—27; Mark xi. 27—33; Lu. xx. 1—8. 

11. Parable of the two sons. Obedience better than profession. Ap- 
plied to self-righteous Pharisees, and penitent publicans and harlots. Also, 
of universal application; Matt. xxi. 28 — 32. 

12. Parable of the murderous tenant husbandmen. The atrocious guilt 
and final rejection of the Jewish church. Matt. xxi. 33 — 41; Mark xii. 1 — 9. 
Lu. XX. 9—16. 

18, The rejected stone. Anger of the Pharisees at the application of 
these parables. Their plotting still baffled. Matt. xxi. 42—46; Mark xii. 
10—12. 

14. The Pharisees unite with the Herodian party in an attempt by hypo- 
critical words to entrap him into some dangerous statement. The question 
of the lawfulness of the Roman tax. Their easy and palpable discomfiture. 
Matt. xxii. 15, 23; Mark xii. 13—17; Lu. xx. 20—26. 

15. The Sadducees attempt to puzzle him with a question pertaining to 
the future state. He rebukes their ignorance of spiritual things, and asserts, 
and briefly cites authority for, the doctrine of the resurrection. Matt. xxii. 
22—32; also, Mark and Luke. Verdict of both people and scribes. 33; Lu. 
XX. 39. 

16. A scribe and lawyer sent with the device of drawing him out to 
make invidious distinctions between the precepts of the Decalogue. Dis- 
comfiture of the questioner. Mark xii. 28 — 34; Matt. xxii. 34—40. 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 117 

17. Jesus, in turn, confounds the Pharisees by questioning them as to 
the descent of the Messiah from David, who yet calls him Lord. The effect 
on the people. Matt. xxii. 41 — 46; Mark xii. 34 — 37; Lu. xx. 41 — 44. 



XXIII. 

Conclusion of the Last Day of Christ's Public Ministry,— Pro- 
phetic Discourses and Conversations. 

Matt, xxiii.; xxiv. ; xxv. 1— 13, 31— 46 ; xxvi. 1— 16. Mark xii. 38— 44 ; xiii. 1, 2; xiv. 
1, 2. Luke XX. 45—47 ; xiii. 34, 35 ; xxi. 1-^ ; xxii. 1—6. 

1. His indignant exposure of the character of the Jewish religious lead- 
ers. Matt, xxiii. 1 — 36; Mark xii. 38 — 40; Lu. xx, 45—47. (a) Ostentatious 
in their religion. Matt, xxiii. 1 — 6. (b) Eager for popular approbation, con- 
trary to the spirit of true religion. 7 — 12. (c) Hypocritical in their prayers 
and proselytism. 13 — 15. (d) Corrupt in their teachings, making fanciful 
distinctions where none exists. 16 — 22. (e) Their religion outward. Par- 
ticular to practice the cheap virtues, but disregarding the more costly. 23 
— 28. (f) Worshipers of the past; building monuments to the memory of 
those whom they themselves would have slain. 29 — 32. (g) Deadly and 
poisonous in their influence. Wicked and cruel towards the divine messen- 
gers. 33—39. 

2. Lamentation over Jerusalem, on account of the sins of its leaders. 
37—39; Lu. xiii. 34, 35. 

3. The small contribution of the poor widow. Such offerings more 
valuable, in God's sight, than the treasures of the rich. Mark xii. 41 — 44; 
Lu. xxi. 1 — 4. 

4. Greek proselytes ask an introduction to Jesus. He shows them that 
there is no worldly advantage to be expected by accepting him. The spirit- 
ual benefit great and glorious, must come, if at all, through his own death 
and the self-renunciation of his followers. Jno. xii, 20 — 26. 

5. Jesus, oppressed in spirit, cries out in prayer. The heavenly voice, 
and the effect on the people. 27 — 30. 

6. The great crisis at hand. Christ to be lifted up, in order that he 
may draw all men to him. Questionings of the people as to his meaning. 
Jesus' parting exhortation to accept him as, the Light of the world, lest they 
stumble. 31—36. 

7. The close of his public teaching, and his final withdrawal from the 
Temple. Rejected of his own people. Fulfillment of prophecy. 36 — 41, 

8. He reproves the moral timidity of those chief men who were con- 
vinced of his real character, but were afraid to acknowledge him. In reject- 
ing him, they denied God, loving the praise of men instead, 42 — 50. 

9. He retires with his disciples. They call his attention to the magnifi- 
cent architecture of the Temple, and its splended adornments. He predicts 
the utter overthrow of all these. Matt, xxiv, 1, 2; Mark xiii, 1,2; Lu. xxi, 5, 6. 

10. The threefold inquiry of the disciples as he sat down with them on 
6 



118 BIBLE STUDY. 

the Mount of Olives. He enjoins upon them sobriety of judgment. Ru- 
mors of extraordinary events, great excitements and fierce wars, not necessa- 
rily precursors of the final catastrophe. Matt. xxiv. 3—8. 

11. Fierce persecutions to befall his followers, and they are to be hated 
even to death. In these, many will lose faith and apostatize. Endurance 
and salvation. 9 — 13. 

13. General spread of the gospel, before the final destruction of Jerusa- 
lem. The awful calamities attending this destruction. Christians, warned 
by indications which he now suggests, to flee from the city. 14 — 22, 

13. They are not to be imposed upon by rumors of extraordinary occur- 
rences and of Christ's reappearance. Attempted deception. When Christ 
comes, his coming will be palpable to all. 23 — 28. 

14. Second advent described. Natural signs of its proximity. The 
time unknown to all men and angels. The event analogous to that of the 
Flood. Duty of watchfulness. 36 — 51. 

15. Parable of the Ten Virgins. Necessity of perpetual vigilance, xxv. 
1—13. Same thought illustrated by parable of servants waiting for their 
Master. Lu. xii. 36—38. 

16. Illustration of the character of the General Judgment. Separation 
of the good and the bad. The principles which determine this separation 
and destiny. Eternal reward and punishment. Matt. xxv. 31 — 46. 

17. The disciples reminded that the Passover is at hand, and that it is 
to be accompanied by his own betrayal. Matt. xxvi. 1, 2; Mark xiv. 1; Lu. 
xxii. 1. 

18. Priests and scribes plot for his arrest, but are fearful of taking any 
open action. Judas yields to the temptation of Satan, and offers, for a sum 
of money, to betray the Lord. They eagerly accept his proposition. Matt, 
xxvi. 3—16; Mark xiv. 1, 2, and 10, 11; Lu. xxii. 2—6; Jno. xiii. 2. 



XXIV. 

The Passover Feast. — Conversation and Discourse.— Institu- 
tion of the Lord's Supper.— The Betrayal and Arrest. 

After the previous remarkable discourse with his disciples, at the close of 
that last great day of his public ministry, Jesus appears to have retired to 
Bethany, and to have remained in seclusion and solemn silence from Tuesday 
evening till the afternoon of Thursday. That was the day of the preparation 
for the Passover, the great national and religious feast of the Jews, which had 
been observed for nearly fifteen hundred years in commemoration of the de- 
liverance from Egyptian bondage; also in typical anticipation of the immeas- 
urably greater deliverance now about to be achieved by the offering of the 
" Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." It was meet that he, who 
had come to be the infinite paschal victim, should fulfill all righteousness by 
observing to the very last this typical and ceremonial feast, — that up to the 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 119 

very hour when the " eternal victim slain" should be ready for the sacrifice, 
that which had been its foreshadowing and prophecy should be scrupulously 
maintained. 

There is some dispute as to just what time in the day the paschal lamb 
was to be slain; but probably it was between the hour of the evening sacrifice 
and sunset of Thursday, — that is, soon after the ninth hour, or about three 
o'clock in the afternoon. The Jewish day began at sunset, and the supper 
lasted till evening. It was to this feast, prepared especially for them in Jeru- 
salem, that Jesus came with his chosen Twelve. Here, in the brief period 
which by the greatness of the events seems almost to have occupied days 
rather than hours, occurred not only the simple ceremonies pertaining to the 
occasion, but also the affectionate, familiar conversation; the calm but start- 
ling announcement of the traitor in their midst; the lesson of humility; the 
prediction of defection in which they would all be involved; the institution 
of a new, solemn and sacred memorial service, to continue till the second ad- 
vent, and which is observed by millions of Christ's followers still; the pro- 
founder discourse with which he comforted and encouraged the hearts of his 
friends, and left on record for all the generations of those who were to be- 
lieve on his name; and the wonderful intercessory prayer. From this feast, 
too, he went out to the appalling agony of the garden, the betrayal, the ar- 
rest, the foretold trial and condemnation. 



Lu. xxii. 7— 54. Matt. xxvi. 17— 56. Mark xiv. 23— 51. Johnxiii.; xiv.; xv.; xvi.; xvii. 

xviii. 1 — 11. 

1. Peter and John sent to prepare the Passover Feast for Jesus and the 
Twelve. Directions for finding a place. They make the requisite prepara- 
tions. Lu. xxii. 7—13; Matt. xxvi. 17—19; Mark xiv. 12—16. 

2. The feast, and the words of Jesus. Give some account of the char- 
acter and signification of the feast, both in its commemorative and in its 
typical aspects. Lu. xxii. 14 — 17; Matt. xxvi. 20; Mark xiv. 17. 

3. The discussion as to who should be greatest in the new kingdom. 
Lu. xxii. 24. The great, memorable lesson of humility. Tlie washing of the 
disciples' feet, and instruction. Peter's objection. The disposition enjoined 
upon them towards one another. Jno. xiii. 3 — 15. Jesus repeats some former 
words on service, not lordship, as the distinguishing trait of Christian disciple- 
ship. Lu. xxii. 25 — 30. 

4. Jesus, greatly distressed, divulges his knowledge that one of them 
would betray him. Their consternation. The anxious inquiry, the answer, 
and the sign. Jno. xiii. 17 — 26. Judas goes out on his errand, though unsus- 
pected by the others, yet indicated by Jesus. 27 — 30. 

5. Jesus speaks of his departure and his glorification. They still fail 
to apprehend him, and Peter resolutely purposes to follow him even to death. 
Jesus foretells to the astonished disciples his denial of him that very night. 
Jno. xiii. 31—38. 

6. The defection of them all predicted. Peter warmly asserts his con- 
stancy, even if all alone. The Lord's further warning, and Peter's emphatic 
reassertion. Matt. xxvi. 31—35; Mark xiv. 27—31; Lu. xxii. 31—34. 



120 BIBLE STUDY. 

7. Modified instructions to the disciples concerning the conduct of their 
future mission. Lu, xxii. 35—38. 

8. Institution of the Lord's Supper. Matt. xxvi. 26—29; Mark xiv.. 
22—25; Lu. xxii. 18—20. 

9. The consequences to them of his going from them. Thomas' ques- 
tion, and Jesus' answer. Philip's request. Christ's union with the Father.. 
The resources of real believers. Jno. xiv, 1 — 14. 

10. Effect of loving Christ. His absence implies the presence of the 
Comforter, the Holy Ghost. His peace. His departure and future coming.. 
15—31. 

11. Love to Christ the spring of Love. The Vine and the branches.. 
Mutual love of Christians. The new commandment. The world's hatred- 
Testimony of the Comforter, xv. 

12. Persecutions, fierce and bitter, foretold. But though he leaves them 
to this bitter experience, they will not be as orphans or comfortless. The 
divine support. The Spirit's office. Christ will return. The interval to 
them. The disciples seem to apprehend him, and express unbounded confi- 
dence; but he sees that, even immediately, their faith will fail. xvi. 

13. The great Intercessory Prayer, (a) For himself, xvii. 1 — 5. (b) For 
the apostles. 6—19. (c) For all believers. 20—26. 

14. The company sing a hymn, — probably the "Great Hallel." (Ps. 
cxv. — cxviii.) This closes the feast, and they go out toward the Mount of 
Olives. Jno. xviii. 1; Matt. xxvi. 30; Mark xiv. 26; Lu. xxii. 39. 

15. The Agony in Gethsemane. (a) Arrival at the garden. Leaving 
the disciples, except Peter, James and John, (b) The profound and crushing 
sorrow. He goes alone to pray, (c) The cry of intense anguish, yet resolute 
submission, (d) The return to his companions, to find them asleep, (e) He^ 
goes and prays the second and third time, in the same awful agony. Th& 
intensity of suffering; the bloody sweat. Exhausted nature succored by the 
ministry of an angel. His return to his still sleeping friends. Matt. xxvi. 
36—44; Mark xiv. 32—40; Lu. xxii. 40—44. 

16. He announces his instant betrayal. The immediate arrival of Judas, 
with a large company, sent by the priestly party to arrest him. Matt. xxvi. 
47; Mark xiv. 43; Lu. xxii. 47; Jno. xviii. 2, 3. 

17. The Betrayal. The traitor's kiss. Christ's gentle but severe re- 
proach. Matt. xxvi. 48 — 50. (See, also, Mark, Luke and John, following 
above.) 

18. Jesus' voluntary presentation of himself to the company. The mar- 
velous effect of his presence and words. Jno. xviii. 4 — 9. 

19. The disciples disposed to repel the assault. Peter's impulsive attack, 
and the rebuke of Jesus, who also miraculously repairs the mischief done 
by the sword. Matt. xxvi. 51—56; Mark xiv. 47; Lu. xxii. 50—54; Jno. xvii. 
10, 11. 

20. Jesus, while yielding himself a prisoner, reproaches the band for 
their manner of arrest. Matt. xxv. 55, 56. (Also, Mark and Luke.) What 
was the probable reason of this nocturnal and strategic method? The dis- 
ciples, terrified and panic-stricken, forsake him and flee. Matt. xxvi. 56;, 
Mark xiv. 50, 51. 



THE LIFE OF CHKIST. 121 

XXV. 

The Trial and the Condemnation. 

It was probably about midnight between Thursday and Friday, when the 
arrest of Jesus was made. There appears to have been still among the leaders 
a great fear of a popular uprising in favor of Jesus, if they proceeded at once 
publicly against him. They therefore took him first to the house of Annas, 
who seems to have been a man of great authority in religious matters. He 
was the father-in-law of the high priest, and is reported by some reputable 
writers as having previously been the high priest himself, but deposed by 
the Roman government. The proceedings here were doubtless informal and 
tentative, rather than judicial. The leaders were still in doubt as to how far 
they might safely go. But it was determined to go on with the prosecution, 
and he was taken to the high priest, the highest judicial functionary of the 
Jews. The brief examination by the high priest, perhaps, indicates a desire 
to ascertain how far the rulers themselves had become infected with the con- 
viction of his Messiahship. The Sanhedrim, or great council, was called to- 
gether at early dawn, and, in unseemly haste, they proceeded to the formal 
trial. There was a remarkable lack of testimony against Jesus. It was only 
at the last that two false witnesses were found, who, on the slight cross-exam- 
ination which some fair-minded members of the council seem to have made, 
so contradicted one another that their testimony, not very important even if 
true, was quite annihilated. Jesus made no defense, called no witnesses, 
asked no questions. They, at last, called him to testify concerning himself. 
He calmly expressed his confident conviction that nothing which he could 
say would avail any thing with them; that the result was a foregone conclu- 
sion, and that his condemnation was determined. But he boldly assured them 
of his future appearance on the throne of the world's judgment, at God's right 
hand. He was then directly asked, under the form of solemn oath, to declare 
whether he were the Messiah and Son of God. He, with equal directness, 
with simplicity and solemnity, aflirmed that he was. This was instantly 
seized upon as satisfactory evidence against him, and, in token of this, the 
high priest gave the usual sign of distress and horror by rending his clothes. 
It needs to be said that this fully sustained the charge of blasphemy, unless 
there was also evidence that Jesus was what he professed to be. But this 
evidence had been furnished, in great abundance, before the eyes of all of 
them; and to this, Christ had constantly appealed, and, in view of it, had 
already pronounced their condemnation. They had willfully, wickedly and 
obstinately rejected the most palpable evidence of their own Messiah. 

The next step, in accordance with simple Jewish law, would have been 
to conduct Jesus outside of the city, and then for the people to stone him to 
death. But there were two reasons for not doing this. One was, that Judea 
was now a Roman province, and Jewish tribunals had not the power to inflict 
the punishment of death. That must be left to the imperial authorities. Very 
likely, however,. this of itself would not have prevented that result, as we 



122 BIBLE STUDY. 

find there were previous occasions on which they would have resorted to this 
method, even without form of trial, had not Jesus disappeared from the midst 
of his foes. The other reason probably was. that, in the light of the recent 
popular enthusiasm for Jesus, it was not deemed entirely safe to risk it. In 
this, too, was the fulfillment of his own prediction, that he should be delivered 
to the hands of the gentiles, and be crucified. For both the reasons assigned, it 
was desirable that there should be a formal condemnation of Jesus by the Ro- 
man authority; and yet it was only by the utmost urgency and clamor that Pi- 
late, who was fully disposed to acquit him, could be persuaded to condemn 
him. 



iohn xviii. 13 ; xix. 4—17. Matt. xxvi. 57-75 ; xxvii. 1—34. Mark xiv. 53—72 ; xv. 1—24. 
Luke xxii. 4—7, 54—71 ; xxiii. 1—32. 

1. Jesus brought to Annas. Jno. xviii. 13, 14. Who was he ? (See 
Introduction.) 

2. Peter follows, is accused of being Jesus' disciple, and denies, repeat- 
ing his denial once and again, as Jesus had foretold. Jesus' look at Peter, 
and Peter's remorse. Matt. xxvi. 58, and 69— 75; Mark xiv. 54, and 66 — 72; 
Lu. xxii. 54 — 62; Jno. xviii. 15 — 18. 

3. The preliminary examination. Jesus' answer. The smiting. The 
remonstrance. Jno. xviii. 19 — 23. 

4. Jesus sent to Caiaphas. Gathering of the council. Attempt to bring 
testimony. The evidence meager, trivial, and contradictory. Though urged 
to reply, he makes no defense. Jno. xviii. 24; Matt. xxvi. 57 — 65; Mark xiv. 
53—61; Lu. xxii. 66. 

5. Jesus himself questioned and adjured. His bold, dignified and ma- 
jestic reply; his calm assumption of Messiahship and Divinity, Lu. xxii. G6 
—70; Matt. xxvi. 63, 64; Mark xiv. 61, 62. 

6. Excitement and indignation of the council, who, on this profession, 
summarily condemn him. Contemptuous and insulting treatment. Lu. xxii. 
63—65 and 71; Matt. xxvi. 65—68. Mark xiv. 63—65. 

7. What would be the usual course after the condemnation ? Why was 
it not pursued ? (Introduction.) Jesus before the Roman governor. The 
accusation called for by Pilate. What reply was made ? What did Pilate 
wish them to do, and what did they answer ? Jno. xviii. 28 — 32; Matt, xxvii. 
1, 2; Mark xv. 1; Lu. xxiii. 1. 

8. New accusations. Was there any evidence ? Lu. xxiii. 2. Pilate 
examines him as to the charge of setting himself up for a king. Wliat does 
Jesus say as to his kingship and his kingdom ? Jno. xviii. 33 — 38. The im- 
pression left on Pilate's mind. 39. 

9. Christ's silence at the accusations, and Pilate's wonder. Matt, xxvii. 
12 — 14; Mark xv. 3 — 5. The disposition of Pilate toward Jesus at this point, 
and its reception by the people. Lu. xxiii. 4, 5. The mention of Galilee, 
and what occurred. 6, 7. 

10. Reception by Herod. His motive. What Herod was this ? The 
conduct of Jesus here. Insulted by Herod and his attendants. Effect on 
the relations between Pilate and Herod. Lu. xxiii. 6—12. 



Tilt: LIFE OF CHRIST. 123 

11. Pilate's decision. The custom of release. Jesus or Barrabbas ? 
Pilate's wife's entreaty. Matt, xxvii. 15 — 21; Mark xv. 6 — 11; Lu. xxiii. 13 
—19; Jno. xviii. 39, 40. 

12. Pilate's continued disposition to release Jesus. Overcome by the 
fury of the mob, he yields, but washes his hands of the crime. Did this ex- 
culpate Pilate ? Matt, xxvii. 22—26; Mark xv. 12—15; Lu. xxiii. 20—24. 

13. Jesus delivered to the Roman soldiers. Their maltreatment of him. 
Matt, xxvii. 27—30; Mark and Luke. 

14. John's account of Pilate's final action. Further conversation with 
Jesus. Fear, perplexity, vacillation, and final consent. Jno. xix. 4 — 16. 

15. Remorse of Judas. Futile attempt to repair his error. His despair 
and suicide. Use made of the returned bribe. Matt, xxvii. 3 — 10. 

16. Jesus caiTying the cross on which he was to suffer. Another com- 
pelled to help. Matt, xxvii. 31, 32; Mark xv. 20, 21; Lu. xxiii. 26; Jno. xix. 
16, 17. 

17. Great concourse of people. Weeping women. Words of Jesus to 
them. Lu. xxiii. 27 — 31. 

18. Arrival at Golgotha or Calvary. The customary stupefying draught 
offered and declined. Mark xv. 22, 23 ; Matt, xxvii. 33, 34; Lu. xxiii. 33. 
Jno. xix. 17. 



XXVI. 
The Crucifixion and the Burial, 

Matt, xxvii. 35— 66; Mark x v. 25-46 ; Luke xxiii. 33— 56 ; Jno. xix. 19— 42. 

1 . The two malefactors. Fulfillment of prophecy. Prayer of Jesus. 
Mark xv. 25—28; Matt, xxvii. 35—38; Lu. xxiii. 32—34. 

2. Title of the accusation, in the three languages of the three great civi- 
lizations. Chagrin of the Jews, and Pilate's mockery. Jno. xix. 19 — 22; 
Matt, xxvii. 37; Mark xv. 26; Lu. xxiii. 38. 

3. Distribution of Christ's garments, and lottery for the outer robe. 
Revilings of the people, and tauntings of scribes and priests. What great 
truth did they unconsciously utter ? Jno. xix. 20—24; Matt, xxvii. 35—37. 
Mark xv. 24—32; Lu. xxiii. 24—37. 

4. Conduct of the malefactors. Penitence and salvation of one. Lu. 
xxiii. 39—43. Matt, and Mark. 

5. The women at the cross. Jesus commends his mother to the care 
of John. Jno. xix. 25—27; Matt, xxvii. 35; Mark xv. 40, 41. 

6. The great darkness at noonday. The terrible cry of Jesus. Re- 
sponse of the by-standers. The thirst; the sponge and the vinegar. "It is 
FINISHED." Final utterance and death. Matt, xxvii. 45 — 50; Mark xv. 36, 
37; Jno. xix. 28—30; Lu. xxiii. 44—46. 

7. Rending of the sacred veil, convulsions of nature, and other extra- 



124 BIBLE STUDY. 

ordinary plienomena. Conviction of the centurion, and alarm of the people. 
Matt, xxvii. 51—54; Mark xv. 88, 39; Lu. xxii. 45—48; Jno. xix. 30. 

8, What was the Jewish law concerning the bodies of criminals who 
had been put to death ? Deut. xxi. 22, 23. What special reason why this 
should be observed in the case of Christ and the malefactors ? Jno. xix. 31. 

9. Measures taken that they might be dead, in order to burial. How 
was it that Jesus had died sooner than usual ? Precaution of the centurion. 
Fulfillment of prophecy. 32 — 86. What was the rule in the offering of the 
paschal lamb, the type of Christ ? Ex. xii. 46; Num. ix. 12; I. Cor. v. 7. 

10. The burial by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy counselor. Assist- 
ance and offering of Nicodemus. Mark xv. 42 — 46; Matt, xxvii. 57 — 60; 
Lu. xxiii. 50 — 54; Jno. xix. 38 — 42. What prophecy was thus fulfilled ? 
Isa. liii. 9. 

11. The women watching and preparing to embalm the body. Lu. 
xxiii. 55, 56. 

12. Fear and precaution of the Pharisees, lest the prediction of Jesus' 
resurrection should be verified. The heavy stone, the government seal, the 
military guard. Matt, xxvii. 62 — 66. 



XXVII. 
The Kesurrection and the Ascension. 

Matt, xxviii. 1—20. Mark xvi. 1— 19. Luke xxiv. 1— 53. Jno. xx. 1—29- xxi. 1—23. 

Acts i. 1—12. 

1. The Resurrection. Matt, xxviii. 1—7; Mark xvi. 1—7; Lu. xxiv. 
1 — 8 ; Jno. XX. 1 — 10. (a) The earthquake, — the angel, — the terror and swoon 
of the soldiers, (b) The early coming of the women to embalm the body, 
(c) Fear that the stone can not be moved from the door of the sepulchre. 
Their astonishment to find it rolled away, (d) The hastening of Mary Mag- 
dalene to find Peter and John, (e) Discovery by the other women that the 
body was gone (f) Announcement by the angels that Jssus was risen, (g) 
Peter and John visit the sepulchre. Their experience. 

2. The manifestation, (a) The women, going to tell the disciples, meet 
Jesus in the way. (b) Mary Magdalene returns and weeps at the sepulchre. 
She suddenly discovers Jesus, who talks with her. (c) These things an- 
nounced to the disciples, who are still incredulous; Matt, xxviii. 8—10; Mark 
xvi. 8—10; Lu. xxiv. 9—12; Jno. xx. 11—18. 

3. Walk of the two disciples to Emmaus, and conversation on the re- 
cent events. Jesus joins them, but does not manifest himself. Instructs them 
that what has taken place was just what was to be expected, according to 
the Scriptures. Reveals himself as they are at the table. They return, and 
report to the other disciples. Lu. xxiv. 13—85. 

4. What measures were taken by the Pharisees, when the soldiers re- 
ported the occurrences at the sepulchre ? What was the penalty when a Ro- 



THE LIFE OF CHRIST. 125 

man soldier slept on guard ? Is the testimony of what was done when the 
witness was asleep regarded as good evidence ? How, then, does this whole 
story appear ? Matt, xxviii. 11 — 15. 

5. The disciples being assembled together in a room with closed doors, 
Jesus appears in the midst of them. Their fright and Jesus' assuring. He 
-convinces them of his identity, and they rejoice. Gives them further in- 
;struction concerning the correspondence of the events with the Scriptures 
and with his own previous teachings. Lu. xxiv. 36 — 49; Jno. xx. 19 — 21. 

6. Commissions them anew to preach and establish this gospel of his 
every-where. His promise and assurance of aid. The special endowment 
of the Holy Ghost. Mark xvi. 15—18; Jno. xx. 22, 23. 

7. Doubting Thomas. His reassurance and Jesus' gentle rebuke. Jno. 
XX. 24—29. 

8. The disciples return to Galilee, and meet again with Jesus there. 
At work in their vocation on the sea. The toilsome and fruitless night. 
Jesus seen on the shore in the morning, but not recognized. The conversa- 
tion and revelation. Jno. xxi. 1 — 14. 

9. Tender, suggestive and effective conversation with Peter. Peter's 
grief and contrition. Allusion to John and his future. Jno. xxi. 15 — 23. 

10. Another meeting, probably with other disciples, on a mountain in 
Galilee. Renews their commission, and promises power for all their future 
needs. Matt, xxviii. 16—20. 

11. The Ascension, (a) The apostles meet him in Jerusalem, and ac- 
company him as far as Bethany on the Mount of Olives, (b) He gives them 
his final benediction, (c) He disappears from their sight, and departs from 
the earth, a cloud receiving him. (d) Two angels appear, and assure the 
disciples that as Jesus has gone into heaven, so he shall return again. Mark 
jxvi. 19; Lu. xxiv. 50—52; Acts i. 1—12. 



FOURTH YEAR'S COURSE. 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 



BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 

FOURTH YEAR. 

McClintock's and Strong's Cyclopedia. 

Kitto's Cyclopedia. 

Conybeare and Howson's St. Paul. 

Farrar's Life and Woek of St. Paul. 

Stalker's Life op St. Paul. 

Taylor's Paul the Missionary. 

Macduff's Footsteps of St. Paul. 

Thomas Lewin's Life and Epistles of Paul. 

Neander's Planting and Training of the Christian Church. 

Farrar's Early Days of Christianity. 

Fisher's Beginnings of Christianity. 

Uhlhorn's Conflict of Christianity avith Heathenism. 

Schaff's History of the Apostolic Church. 

Vaughn's Church of the First Days. 

Geikie's Hours with the Bible. 

Smith's Bible Dictionary. 

Kitto's Daily Bible Illustrations. 

Smith's New Testament History. 

F. W. Robertson's Lectures on Corinthians. 

Farrar's Messages of the Books. 

Lewin's Fasti Sacri (for dates, and corresponding secular history), 

Arnot's Church in the House. 

Bernard's Progress of Doctrine. 

Green's The Apostle Peter. 

Taylor's Peter the Apostle. 

Howson's Evidential Value of the Acts. 

Paley's Horae Paulinae. 

Eugene Stock's Lessons on the Acts. 

Joseph Parker's Apostolic Life, as revealed in the Acts. 



128 



Tlie Propagation of the Gospel 

»-- 

I. 

The Disciples Waiting for the Gift of Power. 

The scriptural history of the planting of the Christian Church, is found 
in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and in the letters to societies, to in- 
dividuals, and to scattered classes of believers. The title of the first of these, 
as Dr. Smith has vs^ell observed, is misleading. The ' ' acts " or works of only 
a few of the apostles are alluded to, at all. Only four of them are in any 
way prominent; and most of the treatise is occupied with the missionary la- 
bors of Paul, who, at the beginning of the history, was not even a disciple. 

But while, like the narratives of the life of Christ, this book is free from 
any appearance of literary intention on the part of the writer, and while it is 
also somewhat fragmentary and not altogether connected and chronological, 
it gives just what the Church in subsequent ages has needed, a simple, definite 
and impressive account of the manner in which the religion of Jesus was 
propagated after his departure, and how it was received by the people to 
whom it was first preached. It is a wonderful story, abounding in marvel- 
ous facts, yet one in which the writer is free from self -consciousness, with no 
trace of sensationalism, — bound only to give a plain, simple and natural nar- 
rative of the events as they transpired. We are to remember that this whole 
New Testament history, including the fragmentary allusions and statements 
in the epistles, covers scarcely so much as forty years from the death of Jesus, 
while yet the events were distributed over a vast territory, and many of them 
took place in some of the most important cities of either the ancient or mod- 
ern world. 

Jesus had commanded the disciples to remain at Jerusalem till they 
should receive the promised baptism of the Holy Ghost, which was to espe- 
cially qualify them for their work. After his ascension, ten days had elapsed, 
during which they continued closely united in prayer for the fulfillment of 
the promise. At the end of this time, occurred the wonderful event, when 
they were not only filled with the Spirit, but gave palpable evidence of it 
both physically and in its convincing energy upon the people. 

129 



130 BIBLE STUDY. 

The time was remarkably favorable to the event. It was the feast of 
Pentecost, which, as the name implies, was fifty days after the Passover. It 
was the great national festival of first-fruits, which had been kept from the 
earliest period of the nation, and was wont to be more numerously attended 
than even the Passover itself. Hence the vast multitudes that were now 
present, embracing not only visitors from every part of Palestine, but also 
great numbers of Israelites scattered abroad in almost all nations of the 
known world. Hence, too, this first powerful impression of the gospel of 
Jesus was likely to be felt, to some extent, in the most distant places. 



Acts i. ; ii. Tiberius, Emperor, A. D. 14r-37. Pentecost, May 27th, A. D. 30. 

1. The writer alludes to a former narrative of his. i. 1 — 2. What was 
this? Rehearsal of the events between the resurrection of Jesus and his as- 
cension. The commission to the apostles, (a) Manifestation of Christ and 
personal intercourse with the disciples. 3. (b) Injunction to wait at Jerusa- 
lem. 4 — 5. (c) Inquiry of the disciples respecting the restoration of the Israel- 
itish kingdom, and the answer. 6 — 8. (d) The ascension. The astonished 
gaze of the disciples, and the appearance and assurance of the angels. 9 — 11. 

2. The return to Jerusalem, and the constant meeting for prayer. 
Names of the apostles. 12 — 14. 

3. Peter rehearses the story of the treachery of Judas, showing in it the 
fulfillment of prophecy, and an allusion to Judas' death. 15 — 20. He pro- 
poses that some one be chosen in the place of the apostate apostle. Condi- 
tion of apostleship ? Manner of the choice? The election? 31 — 26. 

4. Pentecost and meeting of the disciples. 11. 1. Meaning of " Pente- 
cost?" What is the name of this feast in the Old Testament, and the order 
for its observance? Lev. xxiii. 15, 16. To about what time does it corres- 
pond in our calendar? How long was this after the crucifixion? How long 
after the ascension? 

5. What occurred at this time? 2, 3. The effect upon the disciples? 4. 
What is meant by " other tongues? " 

6. The multitudes of Jews present from remote countries, their amaze- 
ment, and the cause of it. 5 — 12. Why were so many present? Give the 
geographical situation of the countries referred to. What does this indicate 
concerning the state of the Jewish people ? 

7. What reason was assigned by certain persons for this remarkable 
phenomenon? 13. Peter's answer? 14, 15. 

8. Peter's address, — give an outline, 16— 36. How would you charac- 
terize some of his declarations concerning Jesus, and the conduct of the 
people toward him? What bold avowal was made concerning Christ's pres- 
ent state? 

9. Effect upon the people. Exhortation and direction. 38—40. What 
intimation here that the Gentiles were to share in the benefits of the Mes- 
siah's advent? 39. The result of the demonstration? 41, 42. 

10. What power came to the apostles? 43. Beginning of the Christian 
Community, and its character. 41 — 46. 



THE PKOPAGATIOl^ OF THE GOSPEL. 131 

II. 

Eapid Progress of the New Faith. The Beginning of Oppo- 
sition and Persecution. 

Acts iii. ; iv. ; v. ; vi. 1—7. Tiberius, Emperor, A. D. 14—37. Events of Lesson, 

A. D. 30. 

1. Healing of the cripple at one of tlie chief gateways of the Temple, 
iii. 1 — 10. What time in the day was this, and what service always took 
place at this time? 1. How old was the man? Also, iv. 22. 

2. Effect on the people. 11. Peter's address. 12 — 26. How did the 
miracles of the apostles differ from those of Jesus? (Examples of the latter, 
as compared with this.) How does Peter explain the phenomenon? 12 and 
16. What does he declare concerning Christ, and how does he speak of the 
Jews' treatment of him? 13 — 15. Mitigation of their crime, and exhorta- 
tion to repentance, with a glance at the future. 17 — 21. Testimony of the 
prophets; promises to those to whom he spoke. 22 — 26. 

3. Interruption of the discourse. The immediate cause of it? iv. 1, 2. 
Who were the Sadducees? What effect was the preaching of the apostles 
likely to have on the popular estimate of their creed? 

4. Imprisonment of the apostles. 3. Did this destroy the effect of the 
sermon? The number of converts by this time? 4. 

5. Arraignment of the apostles. Does the examination appear to have 
been thoroughly judicial, and were there any definite charges? 5 — 7. 

6. Peter's answer. Does he speak in his own wisdom? 8. How does 
he meet the inquiry? 9 — 12. What do you think of the character of the 
reply? What great doctrine was laid down? 12. 

7. How did this speech affect the leaders? 13. Conference and per- 
plexity of the latter. Why perplexed? Their determination. 14 — 17. Was 
this candid and honest? 

8. Communication of the decision to Peter and John, and their answer. 
18 — 20. Why did not the rulers punish or detain them? 21, 22. 

9. The return and report of the apostles. 23. Effect on the company. 
Their thanksgiving and praise. 24 — 30. The divine answei*, and the result. 31. 

10. What remarkable disposition manifested itself among the believers? 
32 — 37. Was there any command or positive obligation that the disciples 
should dispossess themselves of property? 

11. Story of Ananias and Sapphira. v. 1 — 11. Lesson of the divine ab- 
horrence of false-heartedness and hypocrisy, at the very beginning of the 
history of the Church. Is it probable that there had been any uttered lie? 
What is meant by ' ' Thou hast not lied unto man, but unto God " ? 

12. Indications of divine power in the apostles. Wholesome fear on the 
multitude. Effects of the fame of these facts, 12 — 16. 

13. Effect of the apostle's success on the rulers? Their action. 17, 18. 
The sequence, 19 — 21. Report of the officers; perplexity of the council. 
The apostles heard from. Their re-arrest and careful treatment, and re- 
appearance in the council. 22 — 27. 

14. Renewal of charges. What great fear seems to have affected the 



132 BIBLE STUDY. 

rulers? 28. Why had they no reason to complain? (See Matt, xxvli. 25.) 
Peter's courageous answer. What grand principle does he lay down con- 
cerning the relation of moral to civil obligations? His repeated assertions 
concerning Christ. 29 — 32. 

15. Effect on the Sanhedrim. Give the outline of Gamaliel's speech. 
34 — 39. Who was he, and what important position did he hold? 

16. What influence did this speech have on the council? 40. What 
were they previously disposed to do? 33. Effect on the apostles? 41, 42. 

17. The Hellenistic* Jews complain of favoritism. The occasion of the 
first institution of ofBces in the Church. Seven men chosen to attend to the 
temporalities, that the apostles might not be diverted from their special work, 
vi. 1 — 6. Character of the men. Increase of the reformation. 7. 



III. 

From the Martyrdom of Stephen to the Conversion of Saul 

It is a matter of interest to observe the difference between the discourses 
in support of the religion of Jesus addressed by the apostles to the Jews, and 
those addressed to the Gentiles. Of the former, we have a complete type in 
the speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrim. It is, perhaps, the longest dis- 
course on this subject in the Kew Testament, or at least more fully reported; 
for we can hardly think that, of most of the addresses, we have more than a 
brief epitome or outline. The great characteristic of this, as well as of the 
others addressed to Jewish audiences, is that it reasons with entire exclusive- 
ness from the Old Testament Scriptures. The whole argument is, granting 
what no one in such an audience disputed, that the whole Patriarchal, Hebrew 
and Jewish history implied the coming of a Messiah, and that types, cere- 
monies and explicit predictions had unmistakably foretold such a one as the 
Deliverer of the people, then Jesus is that Messiah. Even the fact of his re- 
jection by the very nation which had for ages expected him, the humiliation 
to which he was subjected, the ignominious death visited upon him, all became 
evidence in his favor, and were abundantly indicated in prophecies concern- 
ing him. This general characteristic we find in Peter's addresses at the very 
opening of the work in Jerusalem, as also in Paul's discourses to the Jews 
everywhere. So we learn that whenever any of the apostles or disciples, in 
their missionary journeys, went into the synagogues, they preached first to 
the Jews; out of their own Scriptures " opening and alleging that this is the 
very Christ." In the speech of Stephen, however, there is this peculiarity, 
that he charges upon the Jews and sustains his charge with most palpable evi- 
dence, that the nation has always resisted any new revelation of the divine 
will, or any demand for moral reformation. This rejection of Christ, there- 

*The term "Grecians," in the text, refers to the Jews who were scattered 
throughout the Gentile world, and who had come under the influence of the Greek 
culture and used the Greek language. They were called "Hellenistic," in dis- 
tinction from the Hebrews who dwelt in Palestine. 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. I33 

fore, by the elders and the people, argued nothing against the genuineness of 
his Messiahship, as it was in perfect keeping with the character of the nation 
in its whole history to discard and repudiate the highest and most essential 
truth. 

The speech of Paul, on Mars' Hill in Athens, is a type of the reasoning 
used with the Gentiles. There, he begins with what may be known of God 
T3y the teachings of nature, and from these principles of natural religion pro- 
ceeds to show the necessity of a new revelation both of his will and of him- 
self. The latter condition leads easily to Christ, the facts of whose life and 
works and character, we may suppose, would be set forth. It is true we have 
no complete discourse in which this is done, but there are many intimations 
of this general method. 

Acts vi. 8—15 ; vii. ; viii. ; ix. 1—30. Tiberius, Emperor, A. D. 14r-37. Stephen, 
Martyr, A. D. 36. Saul's Conversion, A. D. 37. 

1. Faith and power of Stephen. Opposition aroused by his preaching. 
vi. 8, 9. Arrest and persecution. False charges and false witnesses. Ste- 
phen's appearance. 10 — 15. 

2. Stephen's defense and remarkable discourse, vii. 1 — 53. "What is 
the main argument of his address? Of what does he accuse his nation, in 
its whole history? Does the fact that the nation had rejected Jesus and 
■condemned him to death and treated him with ignominy, make against the 
truth of his Messiahship? Why? (Introduction.) 

3. How did this powerful presentation of the case against the nation 
affect the people? What was Stephen's condition amid the excitement? His 
ecstatic vision. His startling declaration, and its effect on the mob. The 
violent assault. Stephen's prayer and death. 59, 60. What remarkable 
character first comes to light here? 58. 

4. Fierce persecution of the Christians. Saul conspicuous, viii. 1 and 3. 
What incidental advantage to the cause from this persecution? 4. 

5. Philip preaching to the Samaritans. 5 — 8. Simon Magus and his 
pretensions and influence. 9 — 11. Difference between his tricks and Philip's 
m.iracles. Have we any thing like this in modern times? 

6. Effect of Philip's preaching. 12. Simon's apparent conversion. 13. 
What was Philip's ofiice? vi. 5. 

7. Action of the Church at Jerusalem, when they heard of the work 
in Samaria. 14. Special effect of the coming of Peter and John. 15 — 17. 
Had the baptism of the Spirit been given, except through the apostles' in- 
:strumentality? 

8. Effect of this manifestation on Simon. What kind of a character 
is indicated? What English word do we have from this occurrence. Its 
meaning? Peter's terrible rebuke and Simon's professed penitence. 18 — 24. 

9. Philip and the eunuch. 26 — 38. Who was this eunuch? Where 
was the kingdom of Ethiopia? What was the religious condition of the 
eunuch? How did Philip explain the passage which he read? 35. What 
was the result? 36—38. What occurred to Philip? 39, 40. 

10. Saul's mission to Damascus. Where was this city, and how far 
from Jerusalem? Saul's business there? ix. 1, 2. 



134 BIBLE STUDY. 

1 1 . The vision, the voice, the revelation, the conviction and inquiry. 3 — 6. 
Effect on Saul's companions? Physical effect on Saul? 7—9. 

12. Ananias sent to him. His reluctance and the reason. How was it 
overcome? The errand and the result? 10 — 18. Was it Saul's conviction or 
his conversion that was miraculous ? 

13. What did he do? Effect on the Damascene Jews? Plot to kill him. 
His escape and subsequent return to Jerusalem. Was this return imme- 
diate? What occurred meantime? Gal. i. 17, 18. Alarm of the disciples. 
Re-assured by Barnabas. Paul's powerful preaching and the persecution 
aroused. Escape to Tarsus. 19 — 30. 



IV. 
From the Conversion of Saul to the Death of Herod Agrippa I. 

The city of Antioch deserves attention as being, next to Jerusalem, the 
most important center for the diffusion of the Christian faith. It was situated 
near the north-eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea, and was about three 
hundred miles north of the Jewish capital. It was founded about 300 B. C. 
by one of the Seleucid kings, and became the capital of the territory ruled 
by that dynasty. At the time with which we are now engaged, it was the 
capital of the Roman province in Asia, and was a city of probably 200,000 or 
300,000 inhabitants. It was a place of great wealth, culture and refinement. 

Many Jews resided in the city, and enjoyed both great privileges as citi- 
zens, and a large degree of political liberty, not a few of them being Roman 
citizens. It was not strange that, in the ' ' scattering abroad " which took 
place because of the persecution at Jerusalem, some of the disciples shoidd 
have been found at Antioch; nor was it strange that they should have found 
a degree of readiness there to receive the gospel, inasmuch as there were 
doubtless many from this city present on the day of Pentecost. 

It is probable that the number of converts there was second only to that 
at Jerusalem. Thither came Saul, under the escort of Barnabas, after his 
escape from Jerusalem to Tarsus. There he labored with Barnabas for a 
year, and thence he departed on his great missionary journeys. Here, too, 
was the first great strife in the Church as to the status of the Gentiles, which 
was settled by an appeal to the brethren at Jerusalem. The name of 
'' Christians " was first applied at Antioch. By some, it is supposed to have 
been a nick-name and given in derision. If so, it was not the last time in 
which a term, intended for reproach, has become a name of honor and renown. 



Acts ix. 30 — i3 ; x. ; xi. ; xii. 1—25. Claudius, Emperor, A. D. 41—54. 

Caligula, Emperor, A. D. 37 — 41. Conversion of Cornelius, A. D. 40. 

1. Cessation of persecution, and prosperity of the churches, ix. 31. 
Visitation by Peter. Cure of the paralytic ^neas. Popular effect. 32 — 35. 

2. Peter at Joppa, and the occasion of his coming. Character of Dor- 
cas. The mourning and the mourners. Peter's action. Restoration and 
its influence. Peter's abode there. 36 — 43. 



THE PROPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 135 

3. Cornelius; his character and oflBce. x. 1, 2. The vision and instruc- 
tion. 2—6. Peter sent for. 7, 8. 

4. Peter's vision and its significance. 9 — 16. What was the Jewish 
law concerning some of the animals presented in the vision? Lev. xi. 

5. Arrival of the messenger from Cornelius. 17, 18. The divine an- 
nouncement and direction. Introduction and statement of the errand. 
Peter's ready compliance. 19 — 23. Can you think of any reason why Peter 
might have hesitated? Why did he not ? 

6. The meeting with Cornelius and the gathering. Peter's introduc- 
tion and inquiry, and the explanation of Cornelius. 24 — 33. 

7. Peter's discourse. Announcement of his conviction of the error of 
Jewish exclusiveness. His brief and simple statement of the substance of 
the gospel facts and doctrines. Give this. 34 — 43. 

8. What followed the preaching? Surprise of the Jews who were 
present, and the reason of it. Baptism of the first Gentile converts. 44 — 48. 

9. Report of these facts at Jerusalem. Peter's conduct criticised. His 
plain account of the matter. His own doubts — how they were resolved — 
and the confirmation of his convictions by the events at Caesarea. The con- 
clusion to which the council came. xi. 1 — 18. 

10. Disciples, scattered from Jerusalem, preach in other cities to the 
Jews, and gather congregations of believers. The work at Antioch among 
the Hellenistic (" Grecian") Jews. 19 — 21. 

11. Barnabas sent from Jerusalem to superintend the work. His char- 
acter. 22 — 24. What did he do soon after his arrival? 25. How long did 
Paul and Barnabas labor together at Antioch? What name was first applied 
here? 26. 

12. The prophets. Prediction of Agabus, and action of the Church at 
Antioch. Barnabas and Saul go to Jerusalem. 27 — 30. 

13. Persecution under Herod Agrippa I. Who was he, and what rela- 
tion to Herod the Great? What was his territory? Martyrdom of James, 
and imprisonment of Peter. Precautions concerning him. Prayer of the 
Church, xii. 1 — 5. 

14. Peter's deliverance by the angel. 6 — 11. His coming to the house 
where the prayer-meeting was held. Astonishment of the brethren and his 
statement to them. James notified. Who was this James? 11 — 17. 

15. The excitement occasioned by Peter's disappearance. Action of 
Herod, 18, 19. Circumstances of the king's death. 20 — 23. Progress of the 
cause. Return of Barnabas and Saul from Jerusalem to Antioch. 24, 25. 



V. 
Paul's First Missionary Journey. 

Henceforth, in this history, by far the most conspicuous and commanding 
figure is Saul of Tarsus, — afterwards known as Paul the Apostle. He is one 
of the most powerful characters in the history of the world, and probably 
more of history has been affected by his influence than by that of any other 



136 BIBLE STUDY. 

one man. Though not one of the original apostles, yet all " the signs of an 
apostle " were manifest in his work, and he doubtless does not exaggerate 
when he says that he " labored more abundantly than they all." 

He was born at Tarsus, near the north-eastern corner of the Mediter- 
ranean Sea, not more than a hundred miles from Antioch. It was the capi- 
tal of the province of Cilicia, and had been for several centuries a city of 
much distinction. At the time of Paul, Strabo says that, in all that relates 
to philosophy and general education, it was even more illustrious than Athens 
and Alexandria. It was, so far as culture and the character of its educated 
classes was concerned, a Greek city. 

For some time previous to Paul's birth, the province had been under the 
Roman government. About fifty years before the birth of Paul, Cicero, as 
proconsul, had this as his assigned province, with his official residence at 
Tarsus. Tarsus was a "free city," — that is, it had the privilege of being 
governed by its own magistrates, and many other franchises, but that of Ro- 
man citizenship was not one of these. There were many Roman citizens 
there, but they had received this privilege by some special favor of the 
government. Paul's father, though a Jew, was a citizen, and Paul himself 
was thus ' ' free-born. " 

Paul was thus a Hellenistic Jew, — that is, he was a Jew speaking the 
Greek language and having the Greek culture to a certain extent, at least. 
But neither he nor his family appear to have ranked themselves as belonging 
to the Hellenistic party, according to the divisions between that party and the 
Asmonean or Hebrew party. They rather held more closely to the Jerusalem 
traditions and the more exclusive faith. Paul regarded himself as a "He- 
brew of the Hebrews," and preserved his family lineage and tribal descent, 
as he also bore the name of the most illustrious of that tribe. After his 
general education at Tarsus, he went in his later youth or early manhood to 
Jerusalem; and there, under the direction of the most famous rabbi of his 
time, the celebrated Gamaliel, he became familiar with all the learning of the 
Jews. He adopted the tenets of the Pharisaic party, and became a bigoted 
enthusiast in their defense. Of his bitter and fierce opposition to Christian- 
ity, we have already had evidence. 

The conversion of such a man was a remarkable event to the struggling 
young Church, and a terrible shock to its Jewish opposers. A more power- 
ful human instrumentality for the establishment and diffusion of the faith, 
can scarcely be conceived. In him were combined results of the three great 
civilizations, which, meeting at that time in history and at that geographical 
point, met also in this one man. He was, both by birth and by the most 
thorough and determined training, a Jew, giving promise of becoming per- 
haps the ablest defender of that faith. He was a Oreek by language and by 
culture, thus coming into communication with the whole learned world. He 
was a Roman citizen, and entitled to a degree of protection and consideration 
which was denied to most of his countrymen. Such a man was eminently 
fit to be, not merely the scholar among the apostles, but, more especially, to 
be the Apostle to the Gentiles. 

Dr. Smith gives the following table of the chief epochs of Paul's life: 

I. His Mr St Appearance at Jerusalem as a Persecutor. 



THE PKOPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 137 

II. His Conversion on the way to Damascus. 

III. His Introduction to the Apostles at Jerusalem, and retirement for a 
time to Tarsus. 

IV. His Labors at Antioch and visit to Jerusalem, A. D. 44. 
V. His First Missionary Journey in Asia Minor. 

VI. His Visit to Jerusalem about the Gentiles. 

VII. His Second Missionary Journey, and Introduction of tlie Oospel into 
Europe. 

VIII. His Third Missionary Journey, and long stay at Bphesus. 

IX. His Seizure at Jerusalem, and Imprisonment at Coesarea. 

X. His Voyage to Bome, and First Imprisonment. 

XI. His Release, and subsequent labors. 

XII. His Second Imprisonment, and Martydom. 



Acts xiii. ; xiv. Claudius, Emperor, A. D. 41—54. Events of Lesson, A. D. 45 — 48. 

1 . Give an account of the relation of Paul to the early propagation of 
Christianity. His birthplace, character of the city, and his early culture. 
His religious and national relations before conversion ? What three great 
characteristics united in him gave him special human fitness for his work? 

2. Conference at Antioch. Direction of the Holy Ghost, xiii. 1—3. 

3. Departure of Barnabas and Saul to Seleucia and Cyprus. Preach- 
ing in the synagogue at Salamis. Adventure at Paphos. Elymas the sor- 
cerer, and the Roman proconsul. Miraculous judgment on the former, and 
conversion of the latter. Saul henceforth known by a Latin instead of his 
Hebrew name. 4 — 12. 

4. Paul's company continue their tour. Mark, who had been with 
them hitherto, returns to Jerusalem. 13. What was a subsequent effect of 
this departure? xv. 37 — 40. 

5. Arrival at Antioch in Pisidia. Attendance upon the synagogue ser- 
vice. Paul's address. 16 — 41. Outline of the argument that Jesus was the 
Messiah. Why does he dwell so much upon Christ's humiliation? What 
false ideas had the Jews acquired on the subject? What warning does he 
give them? 

6. Desire of the Jews. 42. Candid and serious-minded Jews exhorted. 
Vast multitudes of Gentiles and Jews drawn to hear Paul. Envy of the 
latter and their opposition. 43 — 45. 

7. The rebuke administered. What was the regular order of present- 
ing the Gospel? 46. The Gentiles invited. Greatness of the work. 47 — 49. 

8. Persecution and expulsion of the apostles. 50. How does their con- 
duct agree with the direction of their Master? 51, and Mark vi. 11, Their 
departure to Iconium, and their state of mind. 51, 52. 

9. The apostles at Iconium. Preaching to the Jews first. Conversion 
of Gentiles, xiv. 1. Persecution incited by hostile Jews. Progress of the 
work nevertheless. Combination of Jews and heathen, and flight of the 
apostles to Lystra and Derbe. 2 — 7. 

10. Miracle at Lystra. Compare it with the first apostolic miracle at 
Jerusalem. Effect on the people. Attempt to offer sacrifice to Barnabas 
and Paul as gods. Action and address of the apostles. Give the line of the 
3 



138 BIBLE STUDY. 

argument. 8 — 17. Difference between the method of their argument and 
that usually addressed to Jews. The sacrifices prevented. 18. 

11. Jews from Antioch and Iconium instigate persecution. Paul nearly 
killed. They go to Derbe. Keturn to the cities recently visited, organizing 
the churches and encouraging believers to persist even through tribulation 
and persecution. 19 — 33. 

12. Continued journey and preaching. Return to Antioch. They 
make report of their mission and abide for a time. 34 — 38. 



VI. 

The Council at Jerusalem. Second Missionary Journey, and 
Introduction of the Gospel into Europe. 

The first marked division of sentiment in the infant Church was concern- 
ing the relation of the converted Gentiles to the Jewish ceremonial law. The 
controversy appears to have broken out at Antioch, where the Jewish element 
of the population was large, and great numbers, both of Jews and Gentiles, 
had been converted. The more rigid Jews among the converts held, not only 
that all the converted Jews should carefully continue to observe the Mosaic 
ceremonial ordinances, but that the Gentile converts should also be required 
to conform to them, — doubtless regarding Christianity only as a development 
of Judaism, in which nothing of the latter was to be abrogated. To this the 
converted Gentiles would naturally object, and with them Paul and Barnabas 
and the more liberal and spiritual of the Jews held. The controversy seems 
to have reached a stage of grave importance soon after the return of the two 
apostles to Antioch from their first missionary journey. The situation in- 
volved was so serious that Paul and Barnabas were sent with a. deputation to 
Jerusalem to consult the apostles and leaders there. The result of the de- 
liberations there is given in the history. It evidently was not perfectly satis- 
factory to the extremists of the Jewish party, and there are symptoms of 
disturbance on this account at subsequent points in the scriptural narrative. 
Still it was a substantial general settlement of the question. 

The city of Philippi, distinguished by being the first point in Europe at 
which the Gospel of Christ was preached, was also noted for several other 
things. It had been founded or rebuilt by Philip, king of Macedon, and 
father of Alexander the Great. It was doubtless the birthplace of the latter, 
and the capital of his hereditary domains. It was also in the immediate 
vicinity that were fought the decisive battles between the imperialists and 
republicans of Rome, in which Octavius and Antony triumphed over Brutus 
and Cassius. At the time of Paul, it was under Roman dominion, and be- 
longed to the class of cities designated as "colonies." By this term was 
meant something different from the modern signification attached to that 
word. It had a peculiar form of government under its own magistrates, and 
the governing element of the inhabitants were Roman citizens. 



THE PKOPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 139 

There were only a few resident Jews, as it was rather a military than a 
commercial city; and they had no synagogues, only a slighter structure where 
they met for prayer. 

Acts XV. ; xvi. Claudius, Emperor, A. D. 41—54, Events of Lesson, A. D. 50—51. 

1. Controversy concerning the relation of the converted Gentiles to the 
Mosaic law. Paul and Barnabas resist the demands of the Jewish party. 
A deputation sent to Jerusalem to consult the leaders there, xv. 1,2. 

2. Their journey, and events by the way. Arrival at Jerusalem, and 
report to the authorities. Opinion of the Pharisaic party in the council. 
Peter's argument against their demand. Paul and Barnabas show that God 
had wrought salvation obviously among the Gentiles, in the absence of the 
condition supposed to be required. 3 — 12. 

3. James's statement of the case, and decision against the Judaizing 
plan, and in favor of simple moral and spiritual conditions. His views ac- 
cepted, and a deputation appointed to bear a letter embodying them to An- 
tioch. 13—29. 

4. The arrival at Antioch, and the meeting of the believers. Delivery 
of the message, and joy of the Church. Silas remains with Paul and Bar- 
nabas, who go on with their work. 30 — 35. 

5. Preparation for another missionary tour. Dissension of Paul and 
Barnabas. The cause of it. 36 — 38. When did the desertion referred to 
occur? xiii. 13. 

6. Result of the controversy. What are the probabilities of the amount 
of the good and evil growing out of this difference? Does it prove that 
either was right? Paul's course. 39 — 41. 

7. Paul at Derbe and Lystra. Conversion of Timothy. His family 
connections and character, and Paul's purpose concerning him. Why does 
Paul circumcise Timothy, when he generally opposes the subjection of Gen- 
tile converts to the ceremonial law? xvi. 1 — 3. Do we hear much of Tim- 
othy after this? 

8. Visitation of the churches, and communication to them of the regu- 
lation adopted at Jerusalem. 4. Condition of the churches and the work. 5. 

9. Through what parts did they travel, and where were they forbidden 
to go?* 6, 7. Describe the situation of the regions and the cities named. 
Arrival at Troas. 8. Where was this, and what famous events of classic in- 
terest took place in this vicinity? 

10. Paul's vision and call to go over into Europe. The call accepted, 
and the voyage to Philippi. Trace out the course on the map. First preach- 
ing of the Gospel in Europe. Paul and Silas at Philippi. Labors among 
the Jews. A notable convert and her hospitality. 9 — 15. What is indicated 
by the change of the narrative here to the first person? 13. Give some ac- 
count of Philippi. 

11. The demoniac young woman. Her conduct. The demon exorcised 
in the name of Christ. 16 — 18. 

*The "Asia" mentioned in the text and elsewhere in this history, was simply 
a proconsular Roman province of no very great extent, embracing the western 
part of Asia Minor, and having Ephesus for its capital. 



140 BIBLE STUDY. 

12. Resentment of lier employers, and the feason for it. The malicious 
prosecution; the accusation and condemnation. The punishment. 19 — 24. 
How did Paul and Silas act? 25. 

13. What occurred in the night? Its effect on the prison? On the 
jailer? Why this desperation? Paul's re-assurance. Inquiry of the officer^ 
and his conversion. What did he do further? 26 — 34. 

14. Action of the magistrates the next day. Paul's dignified attitude. 
How did this affect the magistrates, and why? 35 — 39. Can you state some 
of the privileges of a Roman citizen? Were most of the apostles or the 
Jews generally or a very large proportion of the inhabitants of the empire 
entitled to these privileges? 



VII. 
Continuation of the Second Missionary Journey. 

Thessalonica, which was the first city in which Paul made any consider- 
able stay after leaving Philippi, was, at that time, the chief city of Macedonia, 
as well as the most populous and wealthy. It was, also, the seat of the Ro- 
man government for that province. It was situated at the head of the Ther- 
maic Gulf or inlet of the JEgean Sea, and was favorably located both for 
commerce and for military purposes. It was of no small note in the ancient 
world for a long time previous to the Christian Era, and has several times 
been of great importance in the subsequent ages. The Jewish population, at 
the time of Paul's visit was very great, and it appears to have had the only 
synagogue in all that region of country. It became an important center for 
the diffusion of Christianity, and an active and vigorous church was formed 
there at Paul's first visit, notwithstanding the storm of persecution that so 
soon greeted him. The two epistles to the Thessalonians, written not very 
long after Paul's visit, are probably the earliest of his letters to the churches. 

Athens is the next of the great cities visited by Paul on this missionary 
tour. Of it little need be said here, since all students of Ancient History are 
supposed to be somewhat familiar with the character of this, in many re- 
spects, the most noted city of the ancient world. Perhaps no city in any 
period has ever attained to such eminence in the arts, in letters, in philosophy 
and in the general culture of society as this. Probably there never were 
found within the time of a single century so many men of brilliant intellect 
and great power grouped in one city, as were found in Athens between 350 
and 450 B. C. The time of Paul's visit was several centuries after that, and 
it had fallen far below the standard of its highest fame. It was not now 
even the capital of the Roman province of which it was a part. It was,, 
however, a "free city," under the general government of the empire, and,, 
as such, had many privileges. 

Yet, even now, it was a wonderful city, crowded with temples, palaces, 
and statues and other marvelous works of art. " We go through the gate: 
and immediately the eye is attracted by the sculptured forms of Minerva, Ju- 



THE PROPAGATION^ OF THE GOSPEL. 141 

piter, and Apollo, of Mercury, and the Muses, standing near a sanctuary of 
Bacctius. We are already in the midst of an animated scene, where temples, 
statues, and altars are on every side, and where tlie Athenians, fond of pub- 
licity and the open air, fond of hearing and telling what is curious and strange, 

are enjoying the climate and enquiring for news If we look up to 

Areopagus, we see the temple of that deity from whom the eminence had 
received the name of ' Mars' Hill.' .... If we look forward to the Acrop- 
olis, we behold there, closing the long perspective, a series of little sanctuaries 
on the very ledges of the rock,— shrines of Bacchus and ^sculapius, Venus, 
Earth, and Ceres, ending with that lovely form of that Temple of Unwinged 

Victory which glittered by the entrance of Propylaea Thus every 

god in Olympus found a place in the Agora. But the religiousness of the 
Athenians went even further. For every public place and building was like- 
wise a sanctuary The Council-House held statues of Apollo and Ju- 
piter, with an altar of Vesta The Pnyx, near which we entered, on 

whose elevated platform they listened in breathless attention to their orators, 
was dedicated to Jupiter on High, with whose name those of the Nymphs 
of the Demus were gracefully associated. And as if the imagination of the 
Attic mind knew no bounds in this direction, abstractions were deified and 
publicly honored. Altars were erected to Fame, to Modesty, to Energy, to 

Persuasion and to Pity It is needless to show how the enumeration 

( which is no more than a selection from what is described by Pau- 

sanias) throws light on the works of St. Luke and St. Paul; and especially 
how the groping after the abstract and invisible, applied in the altar alluded 
to last, illustrates the inscription ' To the Unknown God ' which was used 
by the apostolic wisdom to point the way to the highest truth."* 

We have hinted at only a very small fraction of the works of art and the 
religious memorials in this wilderness of beauty, into the midst of which this 
apostolic missionary of the cross of Jesus Christ had come. But he felt his 
spirit ' ' stirred within him " as he saw the whole city given to idolatry. He 
visited the synagogue of his Jewish brethren, and made known both to them 
and the people of the city his mission. The latter were attracted by the nov- 
elty of his views, and determined, without much serious intent doubtless, to 
give him a public hearing. Then he began that wonderful oration worthy of 
the place and subject, which, as he touched upon the doctrine of the resurrec- 
tion, appeared so like "foolishness to the Greeks " that they jeeringly inter- 
rupted him, and he was not permitted to finish. Only a few were convinced, 
and there appears to have been no organized body of believers formed there. 

Another scarcely less important city, visited by Paul at this time, was 
Corinth. In its relation to Christianity, it was indeed vastly more important. 
Even in its political relations, it was, just at this time, much superior to 
Athens. It was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, which now em- 
braced nearly the whole of ancient Greece, and was under the government of 
the proconsul Gallio, a brother of the celebrated philosopher Seneca. This 
man has become famous and his name proverbial, from his relation to and be- 
cause of his treatment of the case in which the Jewish opposers of Paul 

* Conybeare and Howson. " Life and Epistles of St. Paul." 



142 BIBLE STUDY. 

brought the latter before him for trial, and which he somewhat contempt- 
uously but not without good reason dismissed. 

The situation of Corinth was about thirty miles west of Athens, on the fa- 
mous isthmus which connects ancient Peloponnesus, — the modern Morea, — 
with the main land. It was here that the great contests of racing, wrestling, 
and other games were celebrated, and to witness which, multitudes assembled 
from all parts of Greece. To these, as ^as not unnatural, Paul in his epistle 
to the Corinthian church refers, and from them draws some of his most effect- 
ive illustrations. No more eligible spot could have been chosen for a com- 
mercial city than this, where a harbor could be found on each side, and ships 
through different waters approach from opposite directions. Hence the 
wealth and luxury of the city were very great. It was a place, it is true, of 
much culture and refinement, — second, perhaps, in this respect, only to 
Athens. The arts flourished here and the city gave a name to an order of ar- 
chitecture perhaps the most elegant of any age, and which continues to exist 
and be admired even now. But the abundance of wealth had its not unusual 
effect of breeding self-indulgence, low worldliness, sensuality and carnal cor- 
ruption of the most offensive character; — these were among the chief obsta- 
cles to the prosperity of the Christian Church there. It forms one of the 
prominent topics in both of the apostle's letters to the converts, and it is evi- 
dent that they had suffered severely from these causes. 

Hither Paul came from Athens ; and here, after having first declared his 
message to his own countrymen, and by the majority of them being rejected, 
he turned to the Gentiles, among whom he made many converts. It is a re- 
markable fact that though Paul always maintained the doctrine that it was 
the duty of the churches to support those who preached the Word to them, yet 
in this wealthy city where evidently there were many Christian converts, for 
some reason, he chose to waive this claim, and supported himself by daily la- 
bor as a mechanic, with some assistance received from places previously vis- 
ited. Fortunately, he had not only, like the children of the Jews generally, 
learned a trade in his youth, but here at Corinth he had met and formed the 
acquaintance of two persons of the same trade, whom he joined in industrial 
labor, and who became also his efficient fellow- workers in spiritual things. 
For a year and a half, he continued here, pursuing his secular occupation, 
and at the same time laying the foundations of a powerful Christian church. 

Acts xvii ; xviii. 1-22. Claudius, Emperor, A, D. 41— -54. Events of Lesson, 

A. D. 52-54. 

1. The rest at the house of Lydia, and the departure from Philippi. xvi. 
40. The journey to and arrival at Thessalonica. xvii, 1, Give some account 
of this city. State what Paul and Silas did in Thessalonica, and the result. 
2—4. 

2. Conduct of the unbelieving Jews. What social element did they 
make use of, and what did they do? In the accusation made, do you dis- 
cern any important but unintended truth? 5 — 7. 

3. Action of the city authorities. The apostle's party sent away pri- 
vately to Berea. Character of the Berean Jews, and their sensible conduct. 
The consequence, 10 — 12, What class is particularly mentioned, both here 
and at Thessalonica, as among believers? 4 and 12. 



THE PEOPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 143 

4. Emissaries from Thessalonica, and their malign influence. De- 
parture of Paul, and arrival at Athens. 13 — 15. Give some account of this 
city. Can you mention any of the eminent men among its citizens? What 
was its religious character? 

5. How was Paul affected, as he looked about the city ? What did he do ? 
What schools of philosophers did he encounter? What did these schools gen- 
erally believe? AVhat impression did Paul make on them? 16 — 18. 

6. Paul on Mars' Hill. What was this place? The object of his being 
there — a judicial trial, or merely a public hearing? What was a noted char- 
acteristic of the people? 19 — 21. 

7. The speech. Was the opening remark a compliment or reproof? 
To what might the phrase "too superstitious" (far better and more literal, 
"your carefulness in religion,") have reference? Does he propose to intro- 
duce any new deity among them? How is this skillfully avoided, without 
in the least compromising his own faith? Give the line of argument, and 
the main points. 22 — 31. 

8. At what point was his discourse interrupted? With what disposi- 
tion did the hearers treat this doctrine of the resurrection f Were there any 
converts? 32 — 34. Do we everhear of a church at Athens? 

9. Paul at Corinth. Give some account of this city, — its geographical 
situation, — its political, intellectual, social and moral condition. What new 
acquaintances does the apostle make, and what glimpses do we get of his 
condition in life and of the independence of his character? xviii. 1 — 3. 

10. Labors on the Sabbath among the Jews. Arrival of Silas and Tim- 
othy, and the putting forth of more vigorous efforts. Kejection of the Gos- 
p(fel by many of the Jews, though some believe. The Gentiles addressed, 
many of whom are converted. Paul's vision and encouragement. How 
long was this ministry among the Corinthians? 4 — 11. 

11. Disturbance and persecution by unbelieving Jews. Paul's arrest and 
accusation before the proconsul. How did Gallio treat the case? The con- 
duct of the Jews provokes the violence of the Greeks. Gallio's indiffer- 
ence. 12—17. 

12. Paul's subsequent course. Who accompanied him in his journey, 
and whither did he go? What was his ultimate destination, and his object? 
Return to Antioch. 18—22. 



VIII. 

The Epistles to the Thessalonians. 

Though the writing affixed at the end of these epistles names Athens as 
the place where they were sent, a careful examination of all the data makes 
it evident that the apostle wrote them sometime during his residence at 
Corinth. Though in the order of their arrangement they are among the last 
of Paul's letters to the general churches, yet in the order of time they are 
regarded by competent critics as the earliest of all his communications of 



144 BIBLE STUDY. 

this kind. The First Epistle was doubtless written during the earlier part 
of Paul's residence in Corinth. Silas and Timothy had been left in charge 
of the work at Thessalonica when Paul departed to go to Athens, but they 
were expected to join him soon after. We have already seen that they ar- 
rived at Corinth just at the time when Paul was most severely pressed in his 
contests with the unbelieving Jews. The intelligence which they brought 
was doubtless the occasion of the first letter. The other epistle seems to 
have been written something like a year later. Each of the epistles of Paul 
appears to have some one especial characteristic. That of the letters to the 
Thessalonians, is the subject of the Second Coming of Christ, — to which 
some allusion is made in nearly every chapter, though, for the most part, 
only casually in the First Epistle. This subject had engaged the attention 
of the members of the church in Thessalonica to an unusual degree, and 
many of the brethren were morbidly affected by it. Misinterpreting cer- 
tain expressions in the first letter, some appear to have regarded the event as 
so near, that they were neglecting their business, and were falling into fanat- 
ical ways concerning it. It was, in part, to correct these evils that the 
Second Epistle was written. But both abound in affectionate counsels and 
wholesome suggestions to the persecuted and othervidse afilicted band of be- 
lievers. 

FIRST EPISTLE. 
Claudius, Emperor, A. D. 41—54. Date of Epistles, A. D. 52 or 53. 

1. Where was this Epistle probably written? Who are joined with 
Paul in the salutation? Can you think of any reason for this? (See Acts 
xvii. 10; also, I. Thess. iii. 2). 

2. What are some of the things concerning this church, for which the 
apostle gives thanks? i. 2 — 6. What important position did this church 
occupy and what had been the effect? 7 and 8. What evidence is there that 
these Christians had formerly been heathen instead of Jews? 9, 10. 

3. Paul reminds them of the circumstances under which he came to 
them. What were some of these? ii. 2, and Acts xvi. 12 — xvii. 14. How is 
Paul's sincerity evinced? ii. 1 — 5. What do you gather respecting his de- 
pendence upon them for support, and his reasons for this? 6 — 9. (See, also, 
II. Thess. iii. 8 and 9; also his action at Corinth). 

4. What was Paul's method among them? ii. 10—12. The effect of it? 
13. What were some of the conditions which made their state similar to 
that of Jewish converts? What Jewish opposition does he refer to? What 
opposition had the Thessalonians encountered? 14 — 16. 

5. What had Paul's longing to know about them, while he was in 
Athens, resulted in? What was the effect? iii. 1—9. What did he still de- 
sire? 10—13. 

6. Some instructions on practical morals. Give the principal duties 
enjoined, iv. 1 — 12. 

7. What statements does he make concerning the second advent and 
the resurrection? 13 — 17. What fears appear to have been entertained by 
the Thessalonians? 13. How does he allay them? 14, etc. Does he give any 
intimation concerning the exact time? What does he teach? v. 1 — 3. How 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 145 

are Christians to be prepared for the great day? 4 — 10. What other allusions 
to this event are found in this epistle? (See last verses of Chaps, i., ii. and iii.) 

8. Special brief exhortations. Give them in order. 12 — 22. 

SECOND EPISTLE. 

9. Where and when vs^as this probably written? What appears to have 
been the character of the church at Thessalonica at this time? i. 3 and 4. 
What would be the consequences to persecutors and persecuted ? 

10. What great event does he describe? 5 — 10. What erroneous impres- 
sions does he correct? ii. 1, 2. What are to be the conditions precedent to 
this event? 3, 4, 8 — 10. When are men in danger of being left to believe in 
lies and delusions, and the destruction consequent? 11, 12. How did these 
Christians stand in this respect? 13, 14. 

11. What are some of the things for which the apostle asks the prayers 
of these brethren? iii. 1, 2. What confidence is expressed? 3 — 5. What 
command does he lay upon them? 6. What right had he to give this order? 
Was there reason for it? 12, 13. 

12. What was the general principle of the relation of the apostles to 
the churches in respect of support? I. Corinth, ix. 13 and 14. Why did he 
not claim this right? 7 — 9. What is the general benediction? 16. What 
the personal? Why two? 



IX. 

The Third Missionary Journey. Kesidence at Ephesus and 
Journey to Jerusalem, 

The eastern coast of the JEgean Sea opposite Achaia was early settled 
by colonies from Greece. They gave the name of "Asia" to this region, 
and it gradually came to characterize a considerable extent of territory in 
that neighborhood. After some time, the name attached itself to the whole 
peninsula between the Mediterranean and the Euxine, and finally to the 
whole continent. Thus, what was primarily the designation of only a di- 
minutive region, became the name of the largest of the grand divisions of 
the earth. 

In the time of our history, Asia proper was as yet only the Koman prov- 
ince embracing about one-third of what is known in modern times as Asia 
Minor. It is interesting to Christian students from the fact that the Gospel was 
here widely disseminated at an early day, and that here were situated all of 
the Seven Churches to which special revelations were made through St. John, 
— the last of the prophets, the mysterious seer of the new dispensation. 

Of this Roman province, Ephesus was the capital; and as this was for a 
longer period than perhaps any other the residence of Paul, and at a later pe- 
riod for some years the home of John, and as it was a most influential center 
from which the Gospel was propagated, it is proper that we have some brief 
account of it. Its situation was most favorable for commerce both by sea 
and by land. It consequently became a large, populous and very wealthy 
4 



146 BIBLE STUDY. 

city, long before the Christian Era. In the time of Paul, it was probably as 
flourishing as at any previous period , and its influence was felt far and near. 
It had many distinguished and costly buildings. Prominent among these, 
was the theater, — the ruins of which are with difficulty traced, but which is 
doubtless the same in which the Ephesian populace assembled in the excite- 
ment caused by the outcry of Demetrius and his fellow-silversmiths against 
Paul, whose successful preaching of Christ was likely to interfere with their 
trade in the shrines of the chief deity of their city. But the most famous of 
its edifices, was that of the Temple of Diana, the tutelary goddess of the 
Ephesians. This was so magnificent and costly as to be accounted one of 
the seven wonders of the world. It was several times rebuilt, each time 
doubtless with increased splendor. The edifice before that of the time of 
which we are now speaking, had been destroyed by fire on the very night of 
the birth of Alexander the Great, being set on fire by a certain Erostratus 
who confessed that he had no other motive but to immortalize his name. 
Such immortality as it is he seems to have achieved. 

The new temple was 220 years in building, and was the largest of all the 
Greek temples, being about four times the size of the Parthenon at Athens, 
"It was magnificently decorated with sculptures by Praxiteles, and a great 
painting by Appelles. The statue of Diana was of ivory, furnished with ex- 
quisitely wrought golden ornaments. " A considerable part of the trade of 
the city was concerned with the manufacture and sale of silver miniature 
images or models of the statue of the idol. Hence the purely secular mo- 
tive of Demetrius and his fellow-tradesmen is evident. It is also evident 
that Paul's preaching had been very successful, when such numbers were 
converted from idolatry as to endanger the business of producing these 
shrines of the goddess. 

Acts xviii. 23 — 26 ; xix. ; xx. Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54 — 68. Events of Lesson, 

A. D. 55-57. 

1. Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey, Tour of Galatia and 
Phiygia. xviii. 23. Where were these regions? 

2. Apollos at Ephesus. What was his character and his religious rela- 
tions? What did he need in order to profitable preaching? How was this 
supplied? 24—26. 

3. Whither did he go after this? How was he introduced to the 
brethren there, and what was the effect of his ministry among them? 27, 28. 
Do we find any incidental confirmation of Apollos' ministry at Corinth, in 
Paul's writings? I. Cor. iii. 4 — 6 and 22. 

4. Paul again at Ephesus. What singular facts are here mentioned? 
xix. 1 — 3. How do you connect it with xviii. 24, 25. Paul's instruction of 
these disciples and the result. 4 — 7. 

5. How long did Paul continue to present the Gospel in the Jewish 
synagogue? 8. What was the consequence of his preaching to his country- 
men, and what did he do on this account? 9. How long did he continue to 
preach in this Gentile locality, and with what success? What is meant by 
"Asia" here? What powerful manifestations accompanied his preaching? 
11, 12. 



THE PROPAGATION^ OF THE GOSPEL. 147 

6. Attempted imitations of Paul's miraculous power, and the result. 
13—16. Effect upon the people. 17. 

7. Evidences of religious reformation in the converts. 18 — 20. The 
value of the magical books destroyed? (A. silver piece or denarius was 
worth about fifteen cents, our money). What did this indicate? 20. 

8. Paul's purpose. What preparation did he make towards carrying 
it out? 21, 22. Disturbance excited by Demetrius. What was the real mo- 
tive? What does it indicate as to the success of Christianity in Ephesus? 
What was the most notable edifice in Ephesus? Can you give any account 
of it? Relate any remarkable incident connected mth its history. 23 — 27. 

9. The result of the harangue of Demetrius? Effect on the disciples? 
Meeting in the theater, and Paul's bold venture kindly prevented. The con- 
fusion and uproar, and the futile attempt of Alexander to speak. What pos- 
sible reference is made to this person, in Paul's writings? (See II. Tim, iv. 14, 
15), Why would not the multitude hear him? 28 — 84, Cry and uproar. 
Appeal of the magistrate. His argument and advice. 35 — 41. 

10. Paul's departure to Macedonia. What were some of the places he 
would be likely to visit there? Arrival in Greece. What city would he 
probably make his headquarters there, and how long did he stay? What 
occurred to change his mind as to his journey to Syria? xx. 1 — 3. 

11. Companions of his journey. 4. What reason have we to suppose 
that Luke was of this party? 5. Philippi to Troas, and conference with the 
disciples at Troas. Protracted address, and one of the consequences. The 
restoration. Further conference and departure. 6 — 12. 

12. Further incidents of the journey. Arrival at Miletus. 13 — 15. Where 
was Miletus? In the neighborhood of what important city? Paul's haste 
and the reason of it? 16. What took place at Miletus? Give the main 
points of Paul's address. 17 — 35. What expectation does he utter concern- 
ing himself? 22 — 25. What warning does he give the Ephesian brethren? 
29, 80. What elements of character are manifest in this address? 19, 20, 24, 
27, 83—35. Effect on the Ephesian disciples? 36—38. 



X. 
The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 

Within the period covered by the previous study, at least four of Paul's 
Epistles to particular churches appear to have been written; viz., the two 
Epistles to the Corinthians, the one to the Galatians, and the one to the Ro- 
mans. 

The first to the Corinthians was probably written during the third year 
of the apostle's residence at Ephesus, about A. D. 56 or 57. There are some 
allusions in the epistles to a brief visit to Corinth during the ministry at Eph- 
esus, but there is no record of it in the narrative bj' Luke. He had heard 
reports of certain disorders and irregularities in the church, and probably his 
visit was intended to rectify them. These evils continuing, there are indica- 



148 BIBLE STUDY. 

tions that lie wrote them a letter which is not now extant. In this letter he 
had evidently written (for one thing) requiring them to separate themselves 
from certain impure and profligate persons of their number. This they 
failed to understand fully, and wrote for an explanation. In the letter now 
known as the "First Epistle to the Corinthians," he states his meaning more 
explicitly. (See v. 9 — 13.) 

Among the evils which had sprung up in the Corinthian Church, was, 
first and foremost, that sensual immorality which was characteristic of the 
city, and which it was difficult to overcome among the Gentile converts. 
Upon this, Paul was especially severe, and with reference to it exercised his 
apostolic authority to its utmost extent. Then closely connected perhaps 
with this, was a kind of Antinomianism — a sentiment that trust in Christ 
was sufficient to save the soul; and that moral conduct was not essential, 
omitting the important fact that faith in Christ implies obedience to him. 
There were also divisions into parties. Four of these are referred to as the 
parties "of Apollos," "of Paul," "of Peter," and, singularly, "of Christ." 
Neither of the apostles were leaders of these parties, or lent the least coun- 
tenance to them. Probably there was some prejudice against Paul on the 
part of the more worldly and profligate members, on account of his thorough- 
ness of discipline. There would also be an ultra Jewish party, which per- 
haps was substantially one with those who are called the party of Cephas, 
who would be prejudiced against Paul on account of his catholic disposition 
towards the Gentile converts and his opposition to the Jewish exclusiveness. 
Then, too, very likely, Apollos, who appears to have been a man of great 
rhetorical powers and perhaps learned in Greek philosophy, may have been a 
favorite with certain of the philosophizing Greeks, and he may thus have un- 
wittingly aided in building up a sentiment against Paul. Of the party " of 
Christ" it is difficult to determine the basis. Probably this was a self -as- 
sumed title, like that of the Jesuits or " Society of Jesus" in modern times. 

We get in both these epistles, and especially in the first, many historical 
intimations, and much light is thrown on the condition of the early Church. 

Analysis of the Epistle. I. Salutation and Introduction, i. 1 — 9. II. Ex- 
hortations relative to their dissensions, i. 10 — iv. 21. III. Concerning the 
person guilty of incest; the purity of marriage; and warnings against sensu- 
ality. V. — vii. IV. Concerning the eating of things offered to idols; law and 
liberty in respect to Christian conduct, viii. — x. V. Certain ecclesiastical 
regulations, orderly action in the congregations, and the exercise of right dis- 
positions, xi. — xiv. VI. Concerning the Resurrection, xv. VII. Concern- 
ing collections for the poor of other churches; miscellaneous exhortations; 
salutations, etc. xvi. 



Chapters i. ; ii. ; iii. ; iv. Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54—68. Date of Epistle, A. D. 56 

or 57. 

1. When and where was this letter probably written? What reason 
have we for supposing that a previous letter not now extant had been writ- 
ten? V. 9. A prominent object of that letter? 

2. What were some of the evils which had sprung up in the Church at 



THE PROPAGATIOJS" OF THE GOSPEL. 149 

Corinth? What parties had been formed, and under what names? 1. 13. 
What were some of the causes of opposition to Paul? 

3. Give the chief topical divisions of the Epistle. 

4. How does Paul describe the people to whom he writes, i. 3. For 
what particular things does he give thanks? 4—7. Is this description of the 
Corinthian Church consistent with some characteristics set forth in this 
epistle? 

5. How does the apostle meet the case of their dissensions and partisan 
divisions? 13 — 17. What appears from this to have been Paul's chief work? 

6. What do we learn concerning the philosophy and wisdom of this 
world as compared with the simplicity of the Gospel? 18 — 31. What did 
the Jews demand, and what the Greeks, and what did the apostle present in 
place of these? 33—35. 

7. From what classes have the great majority of Christ's followers 
usually come? 36 — 39. Lady Huntington, a pious woman of the nobility of 
England, thanked God for one letter in this description. What was it? 36. 
What does Christ become to those who trust in him? 30. 

8. The fundamental principle and purpose of Paul's ministry among 
them? ii. 1 — 3. The effect of it? 4. How does he describe the greatness and 
grandeur of what is implied in spiritual wisdom and wealth? 7 — 9. How 
revealed and discerned? 10 — 16. 

9. What condition of the Corinthian brethren prevented their spiritual 
discernment? iii. 1 and 3. What evil grew out of this condition? 3, 4. How 
does the apostle treat these divisions? 5—10. What is the sole basis and 
foundation of all Christian character and Christian work? 11 — 13. What 
is the grand final exhortation, and the basis of it? 31 — 33. 

10. What position do ministers hold in relation to the sacred things of 
religion? iv. 1. To whom are they accountable? 3 — 4. What rule is laid 
down concerning criticism and fault-finding? 5. What tendency does Paul 
here wish to correct? 6. 

11. What contrast is made between those who set themselves up as phi- 
losophizing Christians, and the apostle? 7 — 13. Are the differences among 
men always and altogether matters of praise or blame? 7. Are there any in- 
stances in Paul's experience verifying the description in 11 — 13? 

13. What had been said about Paul's visit by those opposed to him? 18. 
How does he meet it and how assert his authority? 19 — 31. 



XI. 
Continuation of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. 

Chapters v. ; vi. ; vii. ; viii. ; ix. ; x. 

1. What is the subject of the Third Division of the book? What was 
the moral reputation of the city of Corinth? How did the evils implied 
affect the Christian community? 

3. What rebuke does the apostle administer, because a member had 
been allowed to marry his step-mother? What does he say of the moral 



150 BIBLE STUDY. 

flagrancy of this act? What had the church done in regard to it, and what 
should have been done? What direction does Paul give? Had he author- 
ity to thus order ? v. 1 — 5. 

3. What further direction is given, and for what reason? 6 — 8. What 
is meant by the *' old leaven? " What is the lesson taught concerning our 
associations in the world and in the Church? 9 — 11. 

4. What practice respecting the settlement of controversies among 
Christians, and on what grounds? vi. 1 — 7. What practices does he rebuke? 
8 — 10. Were these vices probably generally prevalent among Christians? 
11. What rule is laid down concerning the use of the body? 12, 19, 20. 

5. Was there any reason why those who were already married should 
separate and families be broken up? vii. 10, 11. The rule concerning the 
Christians who had unbelieving wives or husbands? 12 — 17. 

6. What was there in the condition of Christians, and especially of 
Christian ministers, in those times, in some respects unfavorable to marriage? 
What tendency was possible in the married life, which was not as likely to 
be in the unmarried? 26 — 34. 

7. What is the main subject of the Fourth JDimsion of the epistle? 
Was the flesh of an animal that had been offered in sacrifice to an idol any 
worse on that account? viii. 8. Was it not possible nevertheless that in the 
estimation of some, the eating of such flesh might sanction idolatry? 7. 
What damage may be done by thus using one's liberty, even where it is not 
against one's own conscience, and what rule is laid down? 9 — 13. 

8. What were some of the things which Paul and other apostles were 
at liberty to do, but from which, for the sake of others, they abstained? ix. 
1 — 13. The reasons for this? 14 — 23. What figure does he use here, and 
why would it be familiar to the people of Corinth? 24 — 27. 

9. What examples of warning are given to the Corinthian Christians? 
X. 1 — 11. What privileges and advantages did God's ancient people enjoy? 
What sins did they commit, and what punishments were consequent? Can 
you find in the Old Testament the instances referred to? Is any temptation 
to sin irresistible? 12, 13. 

10. How were the Corinthian brethren to regard idolatry? 14 — 22. 
Was it a sufficient argument in favor of indifference to say "the idol is noth- 
ing," and why? 20, 21. What final rule is laid down respecting the eating 
of things offered to idols? What are some points of the argument? 23 — 33. 



XII. 
First Epistle to the Oorintliians— continued. 

Chapters xi. ; xii. ; xiii. ; xiv. ; xv. ; xvi. 

1. What is the subject of the Fifth Division? What are some of the 
directions concerning the conduct of women in religious assemblies? xi. 
2 — 16. Was there any condition of the times and the places which rendered 
these directions more applicable than to modern society ? 

2. What great religious ordinance does the writer next speak of? 17 — 34. 



THE PEOPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 151 

What abuses had crept into this solemn service? What scene does he de- 
scribe? 23 — 25. The object of this ordinance? 26. What dreadful crime is 
committed by participating unworthily in this? 27, 29. What difference 
is there between partaking unworthily and being unworthy to partake. 

3. What is said concerning the diversity of ability among men and 
among Christians? xii. 1 — 10. Is this opposed to unity? Wherein does the 
latter consist? 11, 13. How is it illustrated? 12, 14—26. The application? 
27—31. 

4. What is the subject of Chapter xiii. ? How does the writer compare 
it with other virtues? 1 — 3. How many distinct characteristics does he give 
of charity or love? 4 — 8. How does it diSer from certain special gifts or 
abilities? 8 — 12. In what respect is it greater thwa. faith and hopet 13. 

5. To what spiritual gift does the apostle give the pre-eminence? xiv. 1. 
To what modern vocation was this similar or equivalent? (See i. 17, 21, 23, 
etc.) What special gift does he speak of at length, and what restrictions does 
he lay upon it? 2 — 28. What are some of these regulations? What direc- 
tions concerning prophesying, preaching or exhortation? 29 — 33. What di- 
rections concerning the speaking of women? 34, 35. Is this direction of 
universal and perpetual application, or only designed for that time and place? 
The final, comprehensive charge? 40. 

6. What heresy had been disseminated by certain persons at Corinth as 
well as elsewhere? xv. 12. What proofs of Christ's resurrection were com- 
mon to the preaching of all the apostles? 3 — 7. What additional evidence 
did Paul have? 8. 

7. The argument from Christ's resurrection to that of men generally? 
13 — 23. What consequences would come to Christianity and Christians if 
this doctrine were false? 17, 19, 30 — 32, What caviling question was some- 
times asked? 35. What relation is the resurrected body to have to the 
present body? 36—38, 42—50. 

8. ■ What general and awful event is portrayed? 51, 52. The nature of 
the change? 53, 54. The triumphant conclusion? 55 — 58. 

9. What directions concerning benevolent collections are given? xvi. 2. 
For what purpose were these taken, and what was to be done with them? 3, 4. 
What is indicated concerning his future movements? 5 — 9, Whom will he 
send in the meantime? 10. 

10. Of what special friends does the apostle make particular mention? 
15 — 18. The final salutation and benediction? 21 — 24. 



XIII. 
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 

After writing the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul probably remained 
only a few months at Ephesus. It was not long after, that the riot and tu- 
mult excited by Demetrius took place. He had intended, as we have seen 
in the closing part of the First Epistle, very soon to make a journey through 



152 BIBLE STUDY. 

Macedonia, visiting the churches there, and to come to Corinth. Whether 
his departure was hastened by the tumult referred to, is not known, though 
probably he did not leave much earlier than he had intended. We find in 
the Epistles many incidents alluded to, of which we have no other account. 
It appears that he spent some time at Troas, waiting for the return of Titus, 
who had been sent on an embassy to Corinth, and who for some reason was 
long in coming. But the apostle found a large opening for the exercise of 
his calling in that neighborhood, and appears to have preached very effect- 
ually and to have gathered a good company, and perhaps several companies, 
of believers. 

We learn further by the general tone of this epistle as well as by specific 
allusions, that Paul was, during the whole interval and up to the time of his 
writing this letter, suffering severe afflictions. These appear to have been 
partly of the nature of physical disease; and partly in consequence of the 
state of the churches, and especially that of Corinth, in wiiich much mischief 
was being wrought, both in opposition to Paul's authority, and through this 
and other means by the demoralization of brethren and the damage to the 
cause generally. There was the "thorn in the flesh; " "without were fight- 
ings, within were fears. " After his arrival at Philippi, Titus' long deferred 
coming took place. He brought him the good news that the apostle's direc- 
tions had been obeyed, and the most prominent offender in the church had 
been brought to trial, and excluded for his immorality. But there were other 
items of intelligence less encouraging, to the effect that false disciples had 
come to Corinth, and had stirred up among the very members of the church 
an opposition to Paul, thus aggravating the divisions previously mentioned . 
This opposition appears to have been of a bitter and malignant kind, and was 
both unjust and cruel. This faction, though a minority doubtless of the 
church, appears to have been led by a certain person or persons bearing ' ' let- 
ters of commendation " from Judea, who questioned Paul's authority as an 
apostle, and otherwise calumniated him, to the detriment of the cause. This 
was an additional grief to Paul. But, though cast down by all these things, 
yet we find him rejoicing in the midst of his distresses. The present letter 
was written, in part, to meet these calumnies, and to induce in the Corinth- 
ians a better mind. It was probably written within a year after the sending 
of the first epistle. 

The following are the prominent divisions of the epistle : 
I. The apostle's account of the character of his spiritual labors, accom- 
panied with notices of his affectionate feeling towards his converts, i. — vii. 
II. Directions about the collections for the poor Christians in Judea. 
viii. — ix. 

III. A defense of his own apostolical character against those who w^ere 
impeaching him in this respect, x. — xiii. 



Chapters i. ; ii. ; iii. ; iv. ; v. 
1. Where was Paul when the former letter to the Corinthians was writ- 
ten? What took place between the writing of the First and Second Epistles? 
How long after the former was the latter written? Where was Paul when 
he wrote it ? 



THE PROPAGATIOi^ OF THE GOSPEL. 153 

2. What experiences had he been subject to, in the interval? ( See In- 
troduction; also i. 8; ii. 12, 13; vii. 5). What effect did the return of Titus 
and his report have? Was there any unfavorable intelligence mixed with the 
favorable? What was the character of the opposition to Paul in the church? 

3. Give the prominent divisions of the book. Are these very clearly 
defined ? 

4. With what assertion concerning Paul's apostleship does the epistle 
open? i. 1. Was there any special occasion for this? 

5. What may we infer from the apostle's language concerning his state 
of mind? 4, 6, 9. What compensation did he find? 3, 4, 5, 10, 12. 

6. What purpose had Paul originally formed concerning a visit to them ? 
15, 16. Why had he changed his mind? 23. Was the state of things in Cor- 
inth at the time of writing his former epistle a good reason why he should 
wait to see the effect of that appeal ? ii. 1 — 4. Of what had some accused 
him when he failed to come, and how does he vindicate himself? i. 17 — 23. 

7. What had evidently been the consequence of the discipline of the 
offending member, and what does Paul further counsel concerning his treat- 
ment? ii. 5 — 11. 

8. What marked change in Paul's feelings is manifest on his going 
from Asia to Macedonia? 12 — 14. What had transpired to produce this 
effect? vii. 5, 6, 13. Different effects of the Gospel on believers and unbe- 
lievers? ii. 15, 16. 

9. How does he compare his authority and standing among them with 
one who had come with ' ' letters of commendation " and was endeavoring to 
disparage Paul ? iii. 1 — 3. Is there any conceit or self-sufficiency in this ? 4 — 7. 

10. How does he compare the old with the new dispensation, and what 
apt illustration does he use? 8 — 17. What is the historical incident to which 
he refers? What grand sentiment is here uttered, and what is its import? 18. 

11. How does he further vindicate himself and his cause? iv. 1 — 7. 
What is the Christian preacher's business? 5, 6. 

12. What antithesis of experience does he present? 8—16. What great 
hopes buoy him up, and more than compensate his distresses? 10, 14, 17, 18. 

13. What glorious expectation does he cherish? v. 1 — 4. The doctrine of 
the general judgment? 10. The great motive of the apostle's preaching? 
11—13. 

14. What radical change of purpose is implied in and essential to con- 
version or regeneration? 14 — 17. Paul's theory of the atonement, and his 
office as a minister? 18 — 21. What is implied concerning the costliness of 
this redemption? Can you find other expressions in the Bible implying this? 



XIV. 
The Oonclusion of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 

Chapters vi. ; vii.; viii.; ix. ; x.; xi. ; xii.; xiii. 
1. The costliness of the divine offering for man's redemption has been 
spoken of; does it also involve any sacrifice on the human side? What was 



154 BIBLE STUDY. 

involved in the publishing of it by the apostles and early Christians? vi. 1 — 9. 
Were there any, even temporal, compensations? 9, 10. 

2. In view of all this, what affectionate injunction does the apostle lay 
upon the members of the Church? 11 — 18. How should Christians live in 
relation to those who are not Christians? Was it more necessary then than 
now? 

3. What general exhortation of high import does the writer base on this 
foundation? vii. 1. What personal entreaty is made, and what allusion to his 
relation to them? 2 — 4. How had his former letter affected them? Was 
the grief occasioned by it salutary? 8 — 11. How did this react on Paul? 
12—16. 

4. The subject of the Second Division of the Epistle ? viii, , ix. Mean- 
ing of "we do you to wit? " viii. 1. What example of liberality is cited, and 
the character of it? 1 — 5. The object of these contributions? (I. Cor. xvi. 3.) 
What exhortation to the Corinthian brethren, under the stimulus of this ex- 
ample? 6 — 8. What grand example of divine offering? 9. 

5. What further advice is given? 10—15. What provision had been 
made for collecting and forwarding this offering? 16—24. What had Paul 
said then concerning the Corinthian liberality, and what did he fear on ac- 
count of it? What precautions did he take? ix. 1—5. 

6. What does he show as to effect of generous charities? What quo- 
tations are made ? 6 — 15. 

7. The Third Division of the epistle? x., xiii. What insinuations had 
some of Paul's enemies made as to his personal appearance and address? 
X. 1, 10. How does he defend himself from the carnal motives imputed to 
him? 2 — 7. How does he assert his authority? 8, 9, 11. What was Paul's 
assertion concerning his work as a pioneer? And what his conclusion con- 
cerning self -glorying and self -commendation? 12 — 18. 

8. Some one or more had come to Corinth endeavoring to alienate the 
converts from Paul, and bringing in new religious tests. How does Paul 
speak of them? xi. 1 — 4. How does he assert himself? (a) as to his apostle- 
ship? (b) his competence? (c) his self-denying interest for them? 5 — 8. 

9. For what reason did he decline to receive support from them while 
their minister? 9 — 12. Were the opponents of Paul probably honest and 
honorable men, or were they insincere? 13 — 15. 

10. They had boasted of their Judaism. What could Paul say on that 
point? 18, 22. What concerning his devotion to Christ? 23 — 33. Was this 
a vain boast, or was it a necessary reminder? 

1 1 . What other evidence of his apostleship and special divine commission 
does he give? xii. 1 — 6. What humiliation was given, lest he should unduly 
exult in the extraordinary honor bestowed? 7. What lesson do we learn 
concerning Paul's prayer and the effect of it concerning his affliction? 8 — 10. 

12. How does he again state his disinterestedness in their behalf ? 1 2 — 21. 

13. What does he give them to understand as to the exercise of his au- 
thority in matters of discipline, when he shall come to them again? xiii. 1, 2. 
What mingling of weakness and power does he point out in the gospel, and 
how does he apply the principle to himself? 3, 4. What final exhortations 
does he offer? 5 — 14. 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 155 



XV. 

The Epistle to the Galatians. 

Mter writing the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul tarried for some 
time longer in Macedonia. But not wishing to hasten his journey to Corinth 
in the then condition of the church there, he appears to have spent some time 
in the regions north of Greece, visiting new fields, and establishing churches 
where none had been founded before. It is likely that it was at this time 
that he extended his apostolic labors " around about unto lUyricum," accord- 
ing to the allusion in Romans xv. 19. We have no account of this in the his- 
tory contained in the book of the Acts; but we are to remember that this 
does not profess to give a complete history, and that there are many labors 
and experiences of Paul alluded to in his epistles, to which there is no refer- 
ence in the narrative of Luke. 

How long he continued in this region we do not know, but evidently not 
a very long time. When matters were in a suitable state, he made his con- 
templated visit to Corinth, where he remained about three months. It was 
during this time that, according to some of the best authorities, the Epistle to 
the Galatians was written. There are others who place it earlier, namely, be- 
fore his departure from Ephesus; and some, though on quite insufficient 
grounds, place it still earlier, making it the first of his epistles to the churches. 

Galatia was a region in the central part of Asia Minor. It was a rough, 
mountainous region, and contained no large towns or cities. It was inhab- 
ited by a simple, hardy race of men, who had come to this territory from the 
northern part of Greece, but whose ancestors had emigrated some ages pre- 
viously from Germany. As the name implies, they were evidently of the 
Gallic stock, and related to the Gauls and Celts of western Europe, whom, 
also, they resembled in many respects both in character and in certain ele- 
ments of their language. 

It was among the scattered villages and hamlets of this region that Paul 
had gone, preaching the gospel, during his second missionary journey. We 
have no details of this work, and no account of the particular churches gath- 
ered, except what is implied in this epistle. The epistle itself differs from all 
others of Paul's epistles to the churches, in that it is addressed not to a par- 
ticular church, but to "the churches" — a group of churches — in Galatia. 

The occasion of the communication appears to have been this : After 
Paul had left this people, certain of the Judaizing teachers came among them, 
endeavoring to modify the doctrine which Paul uniformly proclaimed to the 
Gentile converts concerning their relation to the Mosaic dispensation. This 
was, substantially, that it was unnecessary for them to obey the cermonial 
law. This had been only preparatory to the coming of Christ, and was not 
intended by itself to be a means of salvation; and that to trust in it after the 
coming of Christ, to lead to whom was its sole use, was to make Christ of no 
avail. While he did not object to the present observance of these ceremo- 
nies by the Jews who had been brought up in them, and while he himself 



156 BIBLE STUDY. 

observed them, he evidently anticipated the time when they would be re- 
garded as of no account by both Jews and Gentiles. 

But the more rigid of the Jewish converts, aided doubtless by emissaries 
from abroad, antagonized Paul in this respect, and, as we have seen, formed 
a party hostile to him. They went so far as to cherish a prejudice against 
him, and to belittle his authority and cast suspicion upon his apostleship; 
and some of the more bitter partisans, to malign his character. We have 
had an account of the opposition at Corinth, which was partly incited by this 
party. In Galatia, the emissaries of this sect had scattered the seeds of 
doubt and dissension among a warm-hearted, simple-minded and impulsive 
people. Paul evidently was very tenderly attached to them, and he was over- 
whelmed with distress at the mischief that had been wrought among them. 
This letter was written to remonstrate with them, and to endeavor to correct 
their false notions. It is energetic, direct and unsparing, but at the same time 
tenderly affectionate. He finds it necessary, not only to correct the views 
which had been imposed upon them, but also to vindicate himself fronl the 
aspersions cast upon his office and teaching. 



Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54^-68. Date of Epistle, A. D. 56 or 57. 

1. What was the situation of Galatia, and the origin and character of 
the Galatians? How does this epistle differ from others in its address? i. 3. 
Where do we find the account of Paul's first visit to this region? 

2. What was the particular occasion of this communication? Have we 
seen any hostility to Paul of similar character elsewhere ? (Introduction to 
Epistles to Corinthians). What were some of the intimations concerning 
Paul? What allusions to this in the epistle? i. 7; ii. 4; iii. 1; iv. 17; vi. 12, 13. 

3. What feeling was excited against the apostle? How does he vindi- 
cate his apostleship? i. 1; ii. 12. What narrative does he give in support of 
this? 13 — 24. What particular event subsequent to his conversion does he 
give, not elsewhere found? 17. 

4. What confirmation of his divine call did the church at Jerusalem and 
the apostles give him? ii. 1 — 10. Had there been any opposition to him at 
this time? 3, 4. What influence had these opponents afterwards on Peter at 
Antioch, and what was the effect on the relations of the two apostles? 11 — 14. 
Is it probable that there was any permanent estrangement? II. Peter iii. 15. 

5. What evidences have we of the warm-heartedness of the Galatians, 
and the affectionate relations existing between Paul and them? iv. 13, 14, 15, 
19, 20. Was it their personal estrangement that pained him, or something 
else? i. 6, 8; iii. 1. 

6. What was the position taken by Paul concerning the relations of 
converted Gentiles to the Jewish or Mosaic law? What the position taken 
by his opponents? (See introduction). What is the main question discussed 
in chapters iii. and iv. ? Under the Jewish dispensation, what was deemed 
necessary to salvation? Under the Christian, what? iii. 2. 

7. WTiat is meant here by " the Law? " Could the law really save any 
one? Was Abraham, or any of the good men anterior to him, considered 
righteous because of their relation to the law? Why? iii, 6, 15 — 17. Is the 



THE PROPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 157 

"faith" that saves, simply believing the truth about a person? Does it im- 
ply any purpose and determination; and if so, what? 

8. What, then, was the design of the law? 23, 24, 25. How did a 
godly man under the law differ from one under faith? iv. 1, 3 — 7. 

9. What allegorical illustration of his doctrine does he give? 21 — 31. 
What is the condition of the man of faith as distinguished from the man 
under the law? v. 1. What argument is made concerning the uselessness of 
the sacrifice and atonement of Christ, if men could be saved by obedience 
to the law? 2—4. 

10. What is the great, essential thing in religion? 6; vi. 15. What cau- 
tion is given concerning the use of liberty? 13. What is the one great key- 
word of the religion of Christ? 14. Is it good doctrine that, if we have the 
right belief, the way we live is of little consequence? If men do not disci- 
pline their carnal impulses, what effects will ensue? 19 — 21. What will the 
discipline of a soul really trusting in Christ, lead to? 22 — 24. Do you no- 
tice the difference in the number of virtues and that of the vices? 

11. What is the general rule for our treatment of one another? 26. 
What, in case of a brother's fault? vi. 1. What particular rules of mutual 
spiritual relationship? 2 — 6, 10. What important doctrine as well of practi- 
cal philosophy as of spiritual and moral conduct? 7, 8. 



XVI. 
The Epistle to the Eomans. 

Paul's three months' visit to Corinth must have been a time of much labor 
and many cares. It was not a small undertaking to restore order and har- 
mony among the factions which were injuring the church, and to exercise 
the needful discipline upon the members guilty of immorality. There were 
also parties, as we have seen, which were bitterly antagonistic to Paul, and 
that, too, because of his condemnation of the false doctrines which they were 
disseminating to the hurt of the cause. Two of these were in diametrical 
opposition to each other, and had no band of unitj^ except hostility to the 
apostle. One of these was the Judaizing party, who insisted that all Chris- 
tians were bound to obey the wlwle ceremonial law. The other was the Anti- 
nomian party, who held that even the observance of the moral law was not 
implied in faith in Christ, and that the latter liberated the believer from all 
moral obligation. Doubtless, out of this teaching had come much of the im- 
morality which called for the exercise of apostolic authority. Though there 
is no detailed account of Paul's action during this visit, there is good reason 
to believe that he excommunicated the immoral members, that he gave 
proofs through the miracles he was permitted to work, of his apostleship 
which had been impeached, that his maligners were discomfited and rendered 
powerless, and that order and harmony were restored. 

This work, the attention to the collection for the indigent Christians in Ju- 
dea, visits to the churches in the vicinity and the epistle to the Galatians, 
would occupy his time. The letter to the Romans was probably written just 



158 BIBLE STUDY. 

"before his departure on tlie journey to Jerusalem. There is this peculiarity 
about this epistle, that it was written to a church he had never visited. Still 
as an important church, occupying a position in the metropolis of the civil- 
ized world, a place to and from which there would be many comers and 
goers of all classes, and especially, as we see from the great number of salu- 
tations at the close of the epistle, a church in which Paul must have had 
many personal acquaintances, he felt desirous to communicate with them. 

Concerning the establishment of Christianity in Rome, we have no cer- 
tain account. The Roman Catholics claim that it was founded by Peter, but 
there is no reliable proof of this, and it is even disputed by some, that Peter 
ever was at Rome. Yet it is easy to see that in the constant and abundant 
communication of Rome with all parts of the vast empire of which it was 
the capital, some Christians would inevitably find their way thither. We 
read that among the multitude present on the day of Pentecost, "strangers 
of Rome " are mentioned. It is probable that Jewish Christians here as well 
as elsewhere formed the nucleus of the church, but we judge that there was 
a large proportion of Gentiles in the body of believers. There do not ap- 
pear to have been any such antagonisms between the two elements here as at 
Corinth and in some other places, and the impression we get from this epistle 
is of a united, devoted and energetic church, having in it many men and 
women of ability and some distinction. 

The epistle, while in many respects, and especially in the particular sub- 
jects discussed, similar to that to the Galatians written not long before, differs 
from it in this respect, that the latter was designed to correct erroneous views 
and perversiohs of doctrine, and was therefore highly polemical; this has no 
such object to accomplish, and therefore, while being thoroughly doctrinal, 
is also almost purely didactic. It is a profound and masterly setting forth 
of the fundamental doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. One lead- 
ing part of this is the relations of the Law to the Gospel, while the prelimi- 
nary showing of the universal sinfulness, the insufficiency of ceremonial and 
moral observance to remedy this, the method of righteousness by faith, 
the existence of which had been indicated in the case of Abraham, and 
through him had become the inheritance not of the Jews only but also of 
the Gentiles, with the bearings of this doctrine on all the interests of human- 
ity, with practical and hortatory directions, complete this masterly treatise. 



Chapters i.; ii. ; iii.; iv. ; v, ; vi. Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54— 68. Date of Epistle, 

A. D. 57 or 58. 

1. Where was Paul when the epistle was written? What matters occu- 
pied his attention mainly while there? What trials did he have at this time? 

2. What importance did the church at Rome have? What was there 
peculiar about Paul's writing to them? How is it supposed that Christianity 
was first introduced into Rome? Of whom was the church composed? The 
character of the church ? 

3. To what other epistle is this similar? How does it differ from that? 
What is the main subject? What is one of the principal topics? What are 
some of the subjects preliminary and subsidiary to this ? 

4. To what authority does the apostle appeal in proof of the truth of 



THE PEOPAGATIOIT OF THE GOSPEL. 159 

the Gospel? 1, 2, To what fact in relation to Christ, here and elsewhere, is 
reference made as certifying to his divine character and mission? 4. 

5. What commendation of the church at Rome is made? 8. The feel- 
ing of Paul towards them? 9 — 11, 

6. What does he announce and make the grand, paramount subject of 
his letter? 16, 17. 

7. Are the heathen who have not the Bible wholly excusable on that ac- 
count? 18 — 20. By refusing to obey the light they had, what followed? 21 — 
25. What dark picture does the writer draw of the heathen world? 26 — 32. 

8. If the Gentiles who had no direct revelation were to be condemned, 
how was it with the Jews? ii. 1, 3, 5. If the latter with all their light still 
sinned, how would their condemnation compare with that of the former? 
What is the general doctrine comprehending both those who have and those 
who have not a revelation? 12, 13 — 15. 

9. What is the teaching concerning unapplied knowledge? 17 — 24. 
Would an outward observance of the ceremonial law among the Jews render 
them really the people of God? 25 — 29. How does this apply to Christians? 

10. What advantage had the Jews over the Gentiles? iii. 1 — 4. Did 
this necessarily save them? 5—9. What terrible indictment does the apostle 
"bring against the human race as a whole? 10 — 20. 

11. If then men are not saved by the law, what is the remedy? 21 — 26. 
Is " the righteousness of God " something to be substituted for our righteous- 
ness, or is it a method by which we are to be made righteous? What is the 
conclusion, then, concerning the relations of the Jews and Gentiles as regards 
the Gospel dispensation? 27 — 31. 

12. What example does the apostle cite to prove that this very idea of 
justification by faith is anterior to the giving of the law? iv. 1—3, 9, 10, etc. 
Were the Jews alone, then, the spiritual heirs of Abraham, and to whom did 
God's covenant with him pertain? 11 — 17. 

13. Why could there be no room for grace if men were to be saved by 
keeping the law? 4. How, then, are men saved? 5 — 8, 24, 25. Is this faith 
that saves, a belief in certain facts, or doctrines, or creeds, or even concern- 
ing the person and character of Christ? If it be a disposition of heart, what 
is the disposition and how is it related to the divine law ? 

14. What is the plan and method by which God rescues men from the 
condition in which the law leaves them? v. 6 — 11. What is the process? 1, 2. 
The effect? 3—5. 

15. What contrast is drawn between Adam and Christ? 12 — 19. Does 
the redemption by Christ simply cancel sin, or does it avail something vastly 
more? 20, 21. 

16. Does the fact that we have exercised faith and are under grace, ren- 
der it of no consequence whether we sin or not? vi. 1 — 14. (See also topic 13 
in this lesson, last question). Can one be under grace who does not purpose 
to renounce sin? If we are in the practice of any sin or desire to commit it, 
what is doubtless our condition? 

17. What is the condition of him who yields to the service of sin? 16. 
The effect of faith and the character of Christ's service? 17, 18, 20, 21—23. 
What illustration is given of a converted man's relation to the law? vii. 1 — 6. 



160 BIBLE STUDr. 

XVII. 

Continuation of the Epistle to the Romans. 

Chapters vii. ; viii. ; ix. ; x. ; xi. 

1. What inference might possibly be drawn as to the character of tJie law 
from some of Paul's previous statements ? vii. 7 How does Paul reply to such 
intimations? 7 — 13. Is the evil of a wrong course of conduct really any less 
because not known to be wrong? What is the office and effect of the moral 
law? 7, 11, 13. Is the law a creator or a revealer of sin? The character of 
the law and of the violator of the law? 12, 14. 

3. What is the great conflict in the unsanctified soul in the presence of 
the divine law? 15 — 24. What is the only salutary outcome? 25. What are 
opposite effects of the carnal and spiritual victory? viii. 4, 6. 

3. The first effect of the subordination of the carnal to the spiritual? 1. 
The second effect? 2. Can one be a Christian without the new spiritual life? 
8, 9. What is the grand condition of those in whom the spiritual life has 
thoroughly subdued the carnal? 14 — 18. What is said concerning the sym- 
pathy even of the inanimate creation in the degradation and also in the 
redemption of man? 19 — 23. 

4. What other and still richer advantages are implied in this life of the 
spirit? 26, 28, 31, 32. What is said of the predetermination of God con- 
cerning this salvation? 29 — 31. What exulting confidence does the apostle 
express? 35—39. 

5. What intensity of desire does he exhibit in behalf of his own people? 
ix. 1 — 3. What exalted conditions were theirs ? 4, 5. Were they all rejected? 
6. Are the temporal conditions of men and nations altogether of their own ap- 
poinment, or of God's purpose? 7 — 24. Does God harden men's hearts that 
they may sin, or because they sin? Does he reject and elect men arbitrarily 
and capriciously, or does he elect those who believe and reject those who 
do not? 

6. Why are the Gentiles accepted, while many of the Jews are re- 
jected? Were the latter all rejected? 25—30. Why were any rejected? 
31—33; X. 1—5. 

7. What is the one condition of salvation, both for Jew and Gentile? 
6 — 13. Is faith mere helieff What is necessary in order that men may be- 
lieve? 14 — 21. How does this bear on missionary work? 

8. What hopes does the writer cherish concerning the Jewish people? 
xi. 1, 2. What instance is cited of apparently universal apostasy, when there 
were still some faithful? 2 — 4. Were all the Jews shut out from the new 
covenant? 5. How were they saved, and why were the others lost? 6 — 10. 

9. What does he predict concerning the future of the Jews, and their 
relation to the Church, and the Gentiles? 23 — 32. What exultation does the 
apostle utter concerning this? 33 — 36. 



THE PROPAGATIOI^^ OF THE GOSPEL. 161 



XVIII. 

Oonclusion of the Epistle to the Eomans. 

Chapters xii. ; xiii. ; xiv. ; xv. ; xvi. 

1. Having completed his doctrinal statement, what is the character of 
the following chapter? What is the personal duty of each one? xii. 1, 2. 
In their relations as members of the spiritual body, what important fact is 
to be kept in mind? 3 — 8. 

2. What dispositions are to be cherished ? 9, 10. What particular virtues 
are enjoined? 11 — 16. Against what evil impulses are they advised? 17 — 21. 

3. Relations of Christians to government? xiii. 1 — 7. Does this appear 
as though Christians in early times formed a community antagonistic to the 
civil power, as has sometimes been charged? 

4. What is the teaching of the next passage? 8—10. Is it enough that 
we keep the bare letter of the commandments? What is the spirit and es- 
sence of them? 

5. What exhortation concerning the redemption and economy of time; 
and what as to sobriety and virtue? 11 — 13. The grand summing up? 14. 
What is the full meaning of this ? 

6. What is the direction concerning persons possibly over-scrupulous 
concerning unessential observances? xiv. 1 — 6. What grand general prin- 
ciple is always to be remembered? 7, 8. On what ground is this brotherly 
consideration based? 9 — 13. 

7. What good rule of charitable action is laid down? 14, 15. How is 
this further enforced? 16 — 23. What disposition founded on the example 
of Christ is enjoined? xv. 1 — 7. What is given as the doctrine of the Jew- 
ish scriptures concerning Christ as the Saviour of the Gentiles as well as 
the Jews? 8—13. 

8. Under what especial title and office does he commend himself to 
them, and excuse the liberty of his exhortations? 14 — 16. What evidence 
is adduced of his apostleship? 17 — 21. What does he divulge concerning his 
future movements? 22 — 28. 

9. What assurance is expressed? 29. What does he ask of them? 
30 — 32. As matters eventuated, was there special occasion for this? Did 
Paul go to Rome in the manner here anticipated? 

10. What is the first part of the last chapter taken up with? xvi. 1 — 16. 
What should you judge concerning Paul's acquaintance witl; the Roman 
Christians? Is not this singular, seeing that he had never been there? Are 
there any of these names with which you have previously met? 

11. What caution is given, and what commendation? 17 — 19. What 
prediction is made? 20. Who join with the apostle in salutation? 21 — 23. 

6 



162 BIBLE STUDY. 



XIX. 

The Apostle's Visit to Jerusalem, and the Persecution Stirred 
up against him by the Jews. 

Very soon after writing the Epistle to tlie Romans, Paul took his de- 
parture from Corinth, and, accompanied by several brethren, journeyed 
through Macedonia, visiting the churches there, and spending some time at 
Thessalonica and Philippi. From the latter place, he embarked by ship and 
went to Troas, where, after some days, he re-embarked and began the voyage 
along the coast toward Caesarea, stopping at various ports on the way. Of 
this journey and voyage as far as Mitylene, where he had the deeply interest- 
ing meeting with the representatives of the Ephesian Church, we have had 
a brief account in Number IX. 

From Mitylene they pursued their course to Tyre on the Syrian coast, 
where they also found, as already in almost every considerable city, a com- 
pany of disciples with whom they tarried a few days. From thence to Ptol- 
emais, the modern Acre, it was a short voyage, and the remainder of the 
journey appears to have been by land. Paul himself had prophetic forebod- 
ings of serious experiences and sore trials awaiting him ; and there were 
other inspired disciples, both men and women, who predicted much temporal 
evil as the result of his present journey. Yet he felt as though led by the 
Spirit to go on and meet whatever was ordained for him. 

He had scarcely been at Jerusalem even a few days when the outcry 
against him began, and he was soon after arrested, and was doubtless only 
saved from violence by asserting to the Roman officer his rights as a Roman 
citizen. Foiled in their purposes to destroy him under color of law, his 
enemies laid a plot for his assassination. Fortunately this was discovered 
and brought to the ears of the military governor, who sent Paul away se- 
cretly with a guard to Caesarea, the residence at that time of the governor of 
the province. Here he was detained for some time, and had a hearing before 
the magistrate, and should have been set at liberty; but, being detained on 
one pretext or another, and fearing that he might be again exposed to the 
machinations of the Jews, he appealed to the supreme authority at Rome, 
and thus precluded any further danger of a trial at Jerusalem. It was by 
this means, also, though in a way far different from what he had contemplated, 
that he was permitted to visit Rome. 



Acts xxi. ; xxii. ; xxiii. Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54—68. Events of Lesson, April 
16 to May 25, A. D. 58. 

1. Voyage from Miletus to Tyre. Stopping-places on the way. Acts 
xxi. 1 — 3. Can you give any account of this latter city, either from sacred 
or secular history? What dissuasion was attempted by the brethren there? 
4. Religious services at the departure. 5, 6. 

2. Continued journey and arrival at Caesarea. Family of a man of 
whom we have previously heard. Gift of the daughters. What were the 
predictions of the prophetic Agabus? 7 — 11. 



THE PROPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 163 

3- What did Paul's friends endeavor to do, on this account? Journey 
to and reception at Jerusalem. 12 — 17. 

4. Conference with James the apostle, and with the elders of the church, 
and report of the work among the Gentiles. 18 — 20, Advice of the elders. 
21 — 25. What apprehensions had been created among the Christian Jews 
concerning Paul's teaching of tRe Gentiles? What did their rigid Judaism 
lead them to think concerning the Gentile converts? What had been previ- 
ously determined by the elders on this subject? 21 — 25. (See, also, xv. 23 — 29.) 
Why, then, enjoin upon Paul that he should observe the ceremonies? 24. 

5. What occurred while Paul was thus engaged ? 27, 28. Who were the 
men crying out thus against Paul? What misapprehension was used? 29. 

6. Excitement and riot. Attempt to kill Paul, and how prevented? 
30—32. What did the officer do, and what followed? 33—36. Paul's re- 
quest of the captain, and the latter's surprise when he found what kind of 
a man he was. Permission given him to speak. 37 — 40. 

7. Paul's address, xxii. 1 — 21. What is the main topic? 5 — 16. In 
what language did he speak ? How does the narrative of his conversion differ 
from that in Chap. ix. ? What does he say took place when he returned to 
Jerusalem? What hearty and humble confession does he make? 17 — 20. 

8. What remark greatly enraged the people? Why? What did they 
do? 21— 23. Order of the officer? Why not carried out? The officer's ap- 
parent doubt. In what respect was Paul's citizenship superior to that of 
the Roman captain? 24 — 28, What was done the next day? 29, 30. 

9. Paul's address before the Sanhedrim. Insolent violence toward him. 
Indignant rebuke. Remonstrance and apology, xxiii. 1 — 5. 

10. Adroit announcement, which caused a division in the anti-Christian 
party, and the consequence. 6 — 9. Paul taken under the care of the Ro- 
man authority, 10. 

11. Paul's vision and assurance. 11. Conspiracy and oath-bound plot 
of his enemies, and attempts to carry it out. How it was frustrated. 21, 22, 

12. The Roman officer's plan for delivering Paul. Conveyance to Caes- 
area and custody there, 23 — 35, 



XX. 

Paulas Continued Imprisonment at Oaesarea. His Appearance 
before the Procurators, Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa. 

Felix, who was the Roman procurator or governor of the province of 
Judea at this time, was a freedman of the Emperor Claudius, and one of his 
favorites. He had been useful to his master in ways none too scrupulous, 
and had been rewarded by one place after another of emolument and power, 
till we find him the ruler of an important and extensive province, with almost 
the state of a king. The reports that we have of him indicate a profligate, 
unprincipled and thoroughly corrupt man. His government of the province 
for two years was distinguished for violence, disorder and discord. Though 



164 BIBLE STUDY. 

his treatment of Paul was personally courteous and humane, yet his manage- 
ment of his case was regardless of the rights of the prisoner, and with an 
eye to his own interest and emolument. 

Of Festus, who came in the place of Felix after the removal of the lat- 
ter, we have very little knowledge. He appears to have been an upright 
judge and an honorable man. His course ^ith regard to Paul was straight- 
forward and fair, though he evidently was desirous to ingratiate himself with 
the Jews at Paul's expense. Still it is not probable that he had any suspicions 
of the plots against the apostle's life, when he proposed his going to Jerusa- 
lem for trial before the Sanhedrim. It was this incident, however, that pre- 
vented Paul's being set at liberty, as he unquestionably would have been had 
Festus made an immediate decision of the case as he had a right to do. 
Paul's "appeal to Caesar," while it prevented his transferrence to Jerusalem, 
also took him out of the jurisdiction of Festus, and determined his appear- 
ance at Rome. 

The Agrippa who appears so conspicuously at this point of the history, 
was a son of the Herod who had persecuted and put to death some of the 
first disciples in Jerusalem and very soon after died a miserable death just 
as he had received the adulation of the citizens of Csesarea. He was also the 
great-grandson of Herod the Great, He was governor and titular king of 
Chalcis, a region to the north-east of Jerusalem, and on the other side of the 
Jordan. He appears to have had some sort of authority in Judea, though no 
absolute jurisdiption. He was a descendant of the Asmonean princes, and, 
of course, had Jewish blood in his veins. He was also familiar with the Jew- 
ish polity and usages, and knew perfectly well how to appreciate Paul's re- 
lation to them. 

The rancor and malignity with which the Jewish party pursued the apos- 
tle, is significant. It shows how important a factor he was in the establish- 
ment of Christianity in the place of Judaism, and how great was his influence 
in so establishing it that the Jews would have no pre-eminence over the Gen- 
tiles in admission to its privileges and advantages. 

Acts xxiv. ; xxv. ; xxvi. Nero, Emperor, A. B. 54 — 68. Events of Lesson, May 25, 
A. D. 58, to July, A. D. 60. 

1. Prosecution of Paul before Felix. Presentation of the Jewish side 
of the case by the advocate Tertullian. Outline of the speech, xxiv. 1 — 8. 
Was the compliment to the administration a just one? 2. Testimony sub- 
mitted. 9. 

2. Paul's defense. Give the substance of it. 10 — 21. Was there any 
effort to disprove this? 

3. What was the action of the procurator, and on what pretext? 22. 
What reason is there to suppose he knew ''of that way?" (See Chap, x.) 
Was Christianity at this time obnoxious to Roman law? Felix's leniency to 
the prisoner. 23. 

4. Paul asked to set forth the system of Christianity before Felix and 
his Jewish wife. What seems to have been the character of the discourse? 
What was the character of the procurator? How did the discourse affect 
him? 24, 25. 



THE PKOPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 165 

5. What sordid hope animated Felix that he kept Paul in custody? 
Why did he not discharge him, on retiring from office? 26, 27. 

6. Who was the new procurator, and what did he do ? What petition 
did he receive, and the motive of it? What did he say to it? xxv. 1 — 5. 
What reason was there for this? 16. 

7. The hearing before Festus. The accusers' failure to prove their 
charges. Proposal of the procurator, and the motive for it? Was it in his 
discretion to determine the case himself? What grand right did Paul exer- 
cise and how did he state it ? Could any other apostle have done this ? Could 
Festus exercise any further jurisdiction? 6 — 12. 

8. King Agrippa's visit. Who was he? The case reported to him. 13 — 
21. Festus' estimate of it as a whole? 19. 

9. Agrippa's desire. 22. The appointment and preparation for the hear- 
ing. 23. Festus introduces Paul. What difficulty does he find in the case? 
Would it have been mm^e or less difficult if Paul had been guilty, or even 
had any semblance of guilt? 24 — 27. 

10. Paul's speech. Graceful compliment to the king. His account of 
himself? xxvi. 1 — 5. How does he represent his case as related to the Jewish 
nation? 6 — 8. His conduct before conversion? Account of the great change. 
9 — 18. Does the narrative differ much from the previous recitals? 

11. The apostle's life after conversion. Character of his teaching and 
doctrine. Appeal to the Old Testament prophets. 19 — 23. 

12. What was the effect of his allusion to the resurrection of the dead, on 
Festus? How did Paul defend himself from the imputation of insanity? 
24 — 26. Personal appeal to the king, and reply of the latter. Paul's rejoin- 
der. 27 — 29. Retirement and consultation of the officials. Agrippa's con- 
clusion. 30—32. 



XXI. 

Voyage and Journey to Kome. Residence and Experience there. 

The voyage of Paul and his companions from Caesarea to the coast of 
Italy, is given with the circumstantiality and minuteness of immediate per- 
sonal observation. It is evident that the narrator was one of the company, 
and this accounts for the particularity of detail which characterizes the narra- 
tive. This, too, has enabled modern writers to trace with great exactness the 
actual course pursued, and to verify the places mentioned, even where the 
modern names differ from the ancient. It was a remarkable voyage, abound- 
ing in disagreeable conditions and perilous experiences. It was only a nar- 
row escape from the destruction of the whole company of soldiers, sailors 
and prisoners; and but for the counsels of Paul, and the divine interference, 
most of them would no doubt have perished. 

The journey from Puteoli, which was not far distant from where Naples 
now stands, to Rome was by land. It was about two hundred miles, and was 
over the famous Appian Road, over which the armies of the Republic and 
Empire, embassies, praetors and proconsuls, with vast throngs of merchants 



166 BIBLE STUDY. 

and citizens and travelers from foreign ports, had come and gone. The traces 
of this famous road still exist throughout most of its extent, and in the vicin- 
ity of Rome it is still traveled, and the entrance to the city is the same as of 
old. The voyage and journey occupied from the last of August till some- 
time in March. 

Rome has been for ages one of the great centers of pov^^er and influence 
in the world. No city probably has drawn to it so much of the attention and 
interest of mankind, and none has been of so much importance even in 
the estimation of the Christian, save Jerusalem. Even now when its political 
power has been gone for ages, and its ancient grandeur lies in scattered ruins, 
it probably draws more travelers to it and is the object of more general desire 
than almost any other spot. For ages both before and after the beginning of 
the Christian era, its history was substantially the history of the world. 

In the apostolic age, Rome was nearly at its greatest splendor. The city 
and its suburbs, within a radius of three or four miles, contained a popula- 
tion, as some of the best authorities estimate, of about two millions. There 
were many private residences of considerable costliness and elegance, and 
public buildings of much magnificence. There were temples, tombs, basil- 
icas, aqueducts and fountains in abundance, while statues and monuments 
of many kinds were everywhere found. The ruins of many of these are seen 
at this very day. 

At the time of our Saviour's advent, Augustus was Emperor, although 
the forms of the Republic were still maintained. He was a man of great 
force of character, as well as a broad, generous, and on the whole, a just man. 
Under him, literature flourished, and the arts were cultivated. His successors 
Were of a different type. Tiberius, who reigned during the latter half of 
our Lord's earthly life and a few years later; Caligula, who followed during 
the next five years; and Claudius, the Emperor for the succeeding fourteen 
years, were, all of them, selfish, cruel, sensual and degraded specimens of 
humanity. Nero, who had been Emperor about eight years when Paul ar- 
rived in Rome, was doubtless a man of greater abilities than his immediate 
predecessors, but his moral character was of the vilest, and his conduct has 
seldom been excelled in infamy. 

The population of Rome was made up of many different nationalities. 
There were many thousands of Jews. Some of these had been brought 
there as captives in war; others had come in the pursuit of business. As 
we have seen, Christianity had been for some time established there, and 
among its adherents were already some persons of reputation. There had 
as yet been no molestation sanctioned by the government, though two years 
later there began a cruel and savage persecution under the brutal Nero, 
which was to be followed at intervals by similar bitter hostilities for two 
hundred years. 



Acts xxvii. ; xxviii. Nero, Emperor, A. D. 54—68. Events of Lesson, August, 
A. D. 60, to March, A. D. 61. 

1. Paul and other prisoners committed to an officer of the Praetorian 
Guard. What relation had this guard to the emperor? How was the con- 



THE PROPAGATIOIT OF THE GOSPEL. 167 

veyance made? The first stage? Treatment of Paul by the officer? xxvii. 
1—3. 

2. Second stage of the journey? Point out on the map. 4, 5. What 
change of conveyance, and with what intention ? What hindered ? Where 
did they find shelter? Where was this? 6 — 8. 

3. What time in the year was this? 9, compared with Lev, xxiii. 27, 29. 
What advice did Paul give? 10 Why was it not taken? What was the de- 
sign? 11 — 13. What occurred? The effect? What precautions were taken? 
14—19. 

4. Desperateness of the situation. 20. What does Paul now advise and 
what grounds had he for his encouraging prediction? 21 — 26. 

5. After how long a time did they discover a change, and what did they 
discover? 27, 28. What precaution did they take? 29. What treacherous 
action did the seamen intend, and how frustrated? 30 — 32. 

6. Paul's further advice and assurance. 33, 34.' The effect? How 
many were there in all? What further did they do? 35 — 38. 

7. What was discovered in the morning, and what was done? 39 — 41. 
Project of the soldiers, and how frustrated? The result? 42 — 44. 

8. Name of the island? Where situated, and its present name? Char- 
acter of the inhabitants, and their treatment of the strangers? What remark- 
able incident befell Paul, and how did it affect the people? xxviii. 1 — 6. 

9. Hospitality of the governor. The miraculous healing of his father. 
Other miracles. What was the disposition of the people? 7 — 10. 

10. How long stay was made here? Describe the voyage hence to the 
Italian coast. Where did they land? How far from Rome, and in the vicin- 
ity of what great modern city? 11 — 13. 

11. Whom did they find here? Journey to Rome, and incidents on the 
way. 14, 15. Arrival at Rome. Delivery of the prisoners to the Praetorian 
Prefect. What special favor was shown to Paul? 16. 

12. How did he use his privileges? Give the substance of his address. 
Reply of his countrymen. 17 — 22. 

13. Paul explains to them the grounds on which the Messiahship of Jesus 
w^as based, and sets forth the Old Testament proofs of the Christian system, 
23. How did they receive it? Does Paul find in their very disagreement and 
disbelief any confirmatory evidence? Why and how? What is his resort 
here, as usual? 24 — 29, 

14. Paul's subsequent action at Rome? Was he still a prisoner, or dis- 
charged? How could he do this religious service? 30, 31. 



XXII. 
The Closing Years of Paul's Life, and Ids Last Letters. 

During the two years that Paul waited as a prisoner for his trial, he ap- 
pears, both from the closing remark of Luke and from sundry allusions in 



168 BIBLE STUDY. 

his letters, to have been actively engaged in advancing the cause of the Gos- 
pel in Rome. It is true that he was confined to his house, and always under 
the surveillance of a soldier to whom he was chained. But he had the privi- 
lege of receiving any who were disposed to wait on him, and his home evi- 
dently became the resort of great numbers, so that he had abundant oppor- 
tunity to teach and preach. He dwelt doubtless within the limits of the 
Prsetorium, or the quarters assigned in the city to the Praetorian guards, and 
his influence throughout these quarters appears to have been very great in be- 
half of the Gospel. To this he alludes, Phil. i. 13, where he says, '' My bonds 
in Christ are manifest in all the palace " (or prcetorium, as some translate it). 
In the same epistle, there is a clear intimation that he had some converts 
among the Emperor's own servants — slaves or freedmen. iv. 22. 

The Scripture narrative breaks off abruptly with the statement of the 
apostle's two years of imprisonment in Rome, giving no details of the life ex- 
cept what has been already referred to. But we have some more or less trust- 
worthy traditions, which, taken in connection with intimations in letters 
written subsequently to this time, give us a fair account of the remainder of 
his career. It appears from these sources that when his trial came on, proba- 
bly in the year 63 A. D., he was readily acquitted and set at liberty. In his 
letter to Philemon, written not long before his discharge as well as in that to 
the Philippians, he had expressed the intention of traveling eastward and 
visiting the churches in Asia Minor. Philem. 22; Phil. ii. 24. This he un- 
doubtedly did, lingering but a little among his friends at Philippi and the 
neighboring churches, and hastening on to Ephesus which he made the cen- 
ter of his operations among the churches in that vicinity. There is a tradi- 
tion, which seems to be well-founded, that, having regulated matters in the 
churches in the province of Asia, he went to Spain and remained there about 
two years; but of the details of this journey, or his labors in connection with 
it, we have not the slightest account. In the year 66 A. D., he returned to 
Ephesus to find there grievous errors and disorders, such as were beginning 
to characterize many of the churches. Having spent some time in correct- 
ing these as far as possible, and leaving Timothy in charge of the work of 
further setting the church in order, he went to Macedonia. From thence he 
wrote his First Epistle to Timothy, giving him direction as to his course of 
conduct in the ecclesiastical administration, as well as much affectionate 
personal counsel. It is probable that he returned to Ephesus, but left after 
a brief visit, for a tour in Crete with Titus. Here there were also similar 
disorders to be rectified, and some time was given to the work, as "we learn 
from the Epistle to Titus, written soon after his departure, and giving the 
latter instructions as to the administration of affairs among the Cretans. 

In this letter, he speaks of a determination to spend the ensuing winter 
in Nicopolis, a city of Epirus on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea, where 
also he wishes Titus to meet him. The probability is, however, that the 
apostle was not permitted to spend the whole winter as he had proposed. 
Some three years before this, a bitter, malignant and horrible persecution 
had been incited against the Christians in Rome, and the government had 
taken part in it. The infamous Nero, who, it was thought by many, had 
set Rome on fire and was the cause of the tremendous conflagration of that 



THE PROPAGATION^ OF THE GOSPEL. 169 

time, was willing to avert the rage of the populace from himself to the 
Christians. The sufferings of the latter were almost too horrible to contem- 
plate. Paul had been set at liberty from his first imprisonment the year pre- 
vious, so that he was far distant when the terrible outbreak came. But, 
though three or four years had elapsed, the hostility had not ceased, and it 
had spread, to some extent, to the provinces. It is probable that he was ar- 
rested at Nicopolis, in the winter of which he speaks, and taken to Rome. 
The charge was probably made by some one of his numerous enemies. 

It is also likely that his imprisonment was short, and that the only ac- 
count we have of him during this time is his Second Epistle to Timothy, 
written from his prison. He was probably tried at separate times, on two 
distinct charges; first, on being concerned in the burning of Rome. On this, 
he was acquitted. The circumstances and outcome of this trial we have in 
his own words. (See II. Tim. iv. 16 — 18). The second trial was doubtless 
on the charge of his being a Christian, which, as a religio nova et illidta, 
rendered him liable to prosecution, though the law in this respect had been 
a dead letter for a long time till revived by the bitter hostility against the 
Christians. On this charge, on which he evidently did not anticipate ac- 
quittal, he was convicted and suffered martyrdom early in the summer of 68, 
and not many months after his second letter to Timothy. 

Besides the epistles to Timothy and Titus, of which mention has been 
made, he wrote during this period, and indeed during his first imprisonment 
at Rome, the epistles to the Ephesians, the Colossians and the Philippians. 
Of the first of these, there is much doubt concerning the church to which 
it was addressed, some contending that the address in the title is wrong, and 
that it is the epistle alluded to in the letter to the Colossians as having been 
sent to Laodicea. Col. iv. 16. The two epistles are very similar in their 
style and matter, and there are very few passages in either which have not 
something corresponding in the other. They are both, as well as the epistle 
to the Philippians, characterized by a glowing personal affection and sym- 
pathy, a hearty and sometimes intense enthusiasm for the cause of the Gos- 
pel and the experience of its power and influence. There are many pas- 
sages of almost unequaled eloquence, in which he gives utterance to these 
feelings. They also abound in practical exhortations, in kindly rebukes and 
cautions. Of the occasions of the Pastoral Epistles, we have already spoken. 
The brief letter to Philemon was occasioned by the discovery in Rome of 
a slave of the latter, who, in absconding, had also stolen from his master. 
Philemon appears to have been one of Paul's converts to whom he was much 
attached. The slave, converted under Paul's teaching at Rome, is restored 
to his master with this remarkable letter, and in such a way as most likely to 
secure his practical freedom. Our limits will allow only a partial considera- 
tion of these epistles. 



Philemon. Ephesians. 

] . Where was Paul at the last previous account we have of him? How 
long did he remain there at that time? In what condition? How did he 
employ himself, and with what success? 
7 



170 BIBLE STUDY. 

2. What do we learn from apparently trustworthy traditions connected 
with intimations in his letters concerning his release and subsequent experi- 
ence ? What city appears to have been his headquarters for a time ? Whither 
did he probably go afterwards, and what were some of the principal inci- 
dents of his life ? 

3. What intention does he express in a letter to Titus? iii. 12. About 
what time did the first persecution of the Christians at Rome begin? Under 
what emperor? His character, and the character of the persecution? 

4. How long after this was Paul arrested? Where? What were the 
charges against him? Was he convicted on the former? How does he de- 
scribe the outcome to Timothy? What was the second charge? Of what 
Roman law was it a violation? Had this law been practically operative? 

5. What was the result? When and how was he put to death? What 
Jetters did he write during this period? 

6. The Epistle to Philemon. Who was Philemon, and where did he 
live? Who was Onesimus? Where and when was the letter written, and 
what was the situation of the writer? Give some account of the contents. 

7. The Epistle to the Ephesians. When and where was this written? 
What doubt is there concerning its destination? What are some of the 
grounds of this doubt? What other epistle contains almost the entire sub- 
stance of this? 

8. Analysis of the Epistle. Part First, i. 1 — 14. After the salutation, 
what are some of the several things in general for which the writer blesses 
God? 

9. Second Part. i. 15— ii. 10. What does he thank God for, and for 
what does he pray concerning those to whom he writes? 15 — 19. What 
does he say of the exaltation of Christ? 20 — 23. What change had taken 
place in them? How had this been effected? ii. 1 — 10. 

10. Third Part. ii. 11 — iii. 21. What had been their former estate? 11, 
12. Their present condition? 13. What had Christ done both for the Jews 
and the Gentiles, and in what relation did it place both? 14 — 18. What 
high privilege was thus theirs? 19. What figure is used? 20 — 22. What 
was the great new revelation concerning this, and to whom had it been spe- 
cially committed? iii. 2—12. What grand spiritual gifts does he invoke 
for them? 13—21. 

11. Fourth Part. iv. 1 — 16. What exhortation does he give? 1 — 3. 
How is the unity enjoined described? 4—6. What diversity consists with 
this unity? 7 — 15. What beautiful figure illustrates this? 16. 

12. Fifth Part. iv. 17— v. 21. What was their former state? What rad- 
ical change, and how figured? 17—24. What particular sins are they to put 
away? 25—31. What disposition is enjoined? 32 — v. 2. What contrast be- 
tween the light and darkness of the soul? 8, 11 — 14. What are some of 
the special exhortations? 15 — 21. 

13. Sixth Part. v. 22 — vi. 9. What kind of relations are here referred 
to? Mention some of the duties enjoined. 

14. Seventh Part. vi. 10 — 24. What fine figure is here used to illustrate 
the Christian character and calling? What are the principal points? 



THE PEOPAGATIOis^ OF THE GOSPEL. j^yj 

XXIII. 
The Last Letters — Concluded. 

Philippians ; I. Timothy ; Titus ; IT. Timothy. 
(The Epistle to the Colossians is omitted as being similar to that to the Ephesians.) 

1. The Epistle to the Philippians. Where was Philippi? What have 
we in the history concerning the first preaching of the Gospel there ? What 
disposition had the Philippians manifested towards Paul? iv. 14 — 16. 

2. What disposition does he manifest towards them? i. 1 — 7. How 
does he describe his present condition? 12, 13. How had his persecution 
and imprisonment, on the whole, affected his usefulness? 14 — 20. 

3. What opposite desires does he express? 21 — 24. To what does he 
exhort the brethren? 27, 28; also ii. 1 — 4. What beautiful presentation of 
the example of Christ is given? 5 — 8. 

4. What was Paul's situation as regards companionship when he wrote ? 
19 — 22. What 'account does he give of his temporal advantages and former 
spiritual defects, and how does he regard them? iii. 4 — 10. What allusions 
are made to the kindness of the Philippians? iv. 10 — 16. 

5. The First Epistle to Timothy. When and where written? (Introduc- 
tion to XXII.) Where was Timothy and what was his office? For what 
purpose had he been appointed to this office? i. 3, 4. The condition of the 
Ephesian church at this time? 4, 6, 7, and Introduction. What instance of 
church discipline and excommunication? 19, 20. 

6. Instructions concerning public assemblies of Christians? ii. What 
prayers are to be especially offered? Instructions concerning women in pub- 
lic? Why was this appropriate to that time and place? 

7. What church officers are mentioned, and what character are they 
severally to have? iii. What remarkable statement of the character of the 
Gospel? 16. 

8. What prophecy of evils in later times? iv. 1 — 3. How is Timothy 
to prove himself a good minister? 4 — 7. The advantage of genuine religion? 
8. As a young man, what is Timothy advised to do? 12 — 16. 

9. What wholesome directions to servants? vi. 1, 2. What is said of 
contentment? 6—8. Danger of avarice? 9, 10, 17 The better way. 18, 19. 
What gTand ascription to Christ? 13 — 16. 

10. Epistle to Titus. Where written? What happened to Paul soon 
after? (Introduction to XXII.) Where was Titus and holding what olfice? 
What evils were in the churches there? What vices does Paul attribute to 
the Cretans generally ? i. 10 — 13. 

11. What are some of the general directions to Titus concerning the 
management of affairs, and concerning what particular classes? 13, 14; ii. 1, 
2, 3, 4, 5, 6—8, 9, 10, 15. For what reasons? 11—14. 

12. What other practical injunctions are given? iii. 1, 2. What experi- 
ence is cited? 3 — 7. What indication does the apostle give of his situation 
and intention? 12, 13. 



172 BIBLE STUDY. 

13. The Second Epistle to Timothy. Where and when written? How 
long before the apostle's martjTdom? How does he address Timothy? i, 2. 
What is his feeling toward him? 3 — 7. What is the condition of Paul and 
his bearing in it? 11, 12. What is evident concerning some who should have 
stood by him? 15. Did this include all his friends? 16 — 18. 

14. What are some of the special exhortations to Timothy? ii. 3, 14, 15, 
22, 23. What errors of some teacher does he deprecate? 16 — 18. What fu- 
ture evils are predicted? iii. 1 — 5. Examples of perverted teachers? 6—9. 
How does he set forth his own example and the natural consequences ? 10 — 
12. Value of the Scriptures? 14—17. 

15. The final charge? iv. 1 — 5. Paul's grand summing up and glorious 
expectation? 6 — 8. How do you think at this point Paul, a prisoner and soon 
to die as a criminal, would have answered the question, Is life worth living? 
What was evidently his condition in respect to many of his friends? 9 — 11. 
His confidence nevertheless? 17, 18. 



XXIV. 
The Epistle to the Hebrews, 

There has been more controversy about some points in relation to this 
epistle than perhaps any other book in the New Testament. The discussion, 
however, has had to do mostly with its authorship, the language in which it^ 
was originally written and the parties to whom it was sent; for there is very 
little doubt about its canonicity and its inspiration. The notion has widely 
prevailed that it was intended as a kind of encyclical epistle for the Jewish 
converts generally, like the epistle of James which explicity states that to be 
its intention. The marked absence of any note of address at the beginning 
such as characterizes every other epistolary book in the New Testament, not 
only leaves this point, but also that of the author, in doubt; while it in some 
degree indicates a difference in the object of the writer. But as nearly as can 
be ascertained, the best authorities agree in this, that it was not addressed to 
the Jews, nor Jewish Christians generally, but either to a particular church 
composed principally of Jews, or to a particular circle or class of Jewish 
Christians, in Alexandria or Jerusalem. The best authorities also agree in 
the opinion that it was originally written in Greek, and therefore doubtless 
addressed to some body of Hellenistic Jewish Christians The last would 
seem to indicate Alexandria as the locality, while some other circumstances 
point to Jerusalem as the place, and a special class as the persons addressed. 

As to the writer, the popular idea has been that it was written by Paul, 
although he is not alluded to in the book. Careful criticism, however, finds 
so much evidence against the validity of this opinion, as to, at least, make it 
doubtful. The thoughts themselves and the general course of the reasoning 
are sufficiently Pauline, but the language and style are dissimilar to Paul's. 
But whoever may have been the author, there is, as has been said, little room 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 173 

for doubt concerning the genuineness and inspiration of the book. There is 
another peculiarity about it; it is less like an epistle than any other book that 
bears that name. Though not destitute of epistolary characteristics, its style 
is somewhat that of a treatise having a particular subject to discuss. It is 
of the nature of a theological essay. 

The object of the writing seems to have been to correct a tendency 
among those addressed, to slide into a formal Judaism and thus apostatize 
from spiritual Christianity; to rest in the ceremonies of the temple service, 
instead of entering into that higher experience of which these were only 
types and shadows. This gives the writer an opportunity to set forth in 
order the actual relation of the Mosaic system to Christ and Christianity. 
The book furnishes a masterly representation of the connection between the 
Mosaic and the Christian dispensations. The leading topic is the grand pre- 
eminence of Christ, and his completeness for the deliverance of humanity from 
all its evils and the supply of all its spiritual wants ; as contrasted with the 
imperf ectness, insufficiency and incompetency of the Mosaic system without 
him as its complement and the antitype of its principal ceremonies. 



1. What difference of opinion has prevailed concerning this book? 
What has been a common opinion? Are there any reasons for a contrary 
opinion? How does the beginning differ from that of every other epistle? 

2. What theory of some weight do we have concerning its character 
and the parties to whom it was written? What difference of opinion con- 
cerning the writer? What are some of the reasons for supposing it to be 
Paul's writing? What reasons against this supposition? 

3. Do these diverse views affect the question of its authenticity or in- 
spiration? What other peculiarity of the book? Its main object? What is 
set forth? The leading topic? 

4. What two methods of revelation are spoken of? i. 1, 2. How is 
Christ compared with the angels ? 3 — 14. What very forcible argument is 
drawn from this, respecting obedience to Christ? ii. 1 — 4. 

5. What is man's rank as compared with angels? 6 — 8. Why was it 
necessary when as we have seen Jesus was infinitely superior to the angels, 
that he should be made inferior to them? What objects were to be achieved? 
What nature did he take on? 9 — 18. 

6. In what respect is Christ greater than Moses? iii. 1 — 6. What is ar- 
gued from this respecting the consequences of disbelief in Christ? 7 — 11, 12 
— 19; iv. 1, 2. What remarkable description of the divine word? 12, 13. 

7. How is Christ superior to the Aaronic high priests? 14, 15; v. 1 — 4, 
5, 6, 7, 9; vii. 28. What is said concerning the superiority of Christ's priestly 
order to that of Aaron? v. 10; vii. 13, 14, 21, 22, 23—26. What is the argu- 
ment to show the superiority of Melchizedec to Aaron? vii. 1, 2, 4 — 10. 

8. How does the holy place or sanctuary of which the Jewish high 
priest was minister compare with that of Christ? viii. 2, 5. How do the 
two covenants compare? 6 — 9, 10 — 12. 

9. Were the ordinances, and offices and appointments of the former dis. 
pensation effectual and satisfactory, or only typical? ix. 1 — 8, 9, 10, 12, 18; 



174 BIBLE STUDY. 

X. 1—4. What does Christ do that the former can not do and which they only 
prefigure? ix. 11, 14, 23, 24 — 28. What is the inference, then, concerning the 
continuance or cessation of the Jewish ritual? 

10. What is the real and effectual offering, the substance of which the 
Levitical sacrifices were the shadow — the antitype of which they were the 
type? X. 5, 7, 9, 10. Is there need for further sacrifice? 14, 18. The effect 
of this sacrifice upon those who in faith accept it? 16, 17. 

11. What rebuke is administered to the heathen? v. 11 — 14. What is 
the process of the spiritual life when once begun? vi. 1 — 3. What perilis 
involved in remaining stationary or receding? 4 — 6. How does the great 
inheritance come to God's children? 11, 12. How does he represent the as- 
surance of the inheritance and the value of the hope? 13 — 20. 

12. (Having completed the doctrinal exposition, the writer now proceeds 
to apply the principles evolved.) How does he group the particulars in 
which Christ becomes the fulfillment of the types implied in the Jewish altar 
service, and what encouragement is held forth? x. 19 — 23. What is said 
concerning religious communion ? 24, 25. What dangers are involved, and 
how do these compare with those under the old dispensation? 26 — 31. 

13. What had these Christians already suffered; and to what does the 
writer exhort them? 32—39. What is the subject of chapter xi.? Mention 
some of the prominent examples of faith. 4 — 32. How does faith differ from 
belief? What power had faith imparted to many not named? 33 — 40. 

14. What is the inference? xii. 1 — 3. What is said concerning the bene- 
fit of affliction? 4—11. What special exhortations follow? 12—17. What 
remarkable comparison is made, illustrative of the two dispensations? 18 — 29. 

15. What particular virtues are commended? xiii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 16. 
Against what are they warned, and on what ground? 8 — 15. 



XXV. 
The General Epistles of James and Peter. 

There have been some doubts concerning the epistle of James both as to 
its being a really canonical book and as to the writer. In modern times the 
chief objection to its canonicity has arisen from the supposed antagonism of 
a part of it to other writings of the New Testament. This objection, how- 
ever, when critically examined is found to have little weight, and there is at 
present a nearly unanimous opinion among evangelical writers that it is a 
genuine part of the New Testament. 

There appear to have been three or four prominent persons by the name 
of James among the early disciples. Two of these were apostles, viz., James 
the brother of John, and James the son of Alphaeus. James "the Lord's 
brother" is also spoken of; and there is also a possible fourth James, 
Matt. xiii. 55; Mark vi. 3. The best authorities identify "the son of Al- 



THE PROPAGATIOX OF THE GOSPEL. 175 

phaeus" and ''the Lord's brother " as the same. The only difficulty is in the 
family relationship, but the term "brother" is often used in the Bible to de- 
note a near kinsman, and there are still other ways of accounting for the 
legitimate use of the term. 

The epistle could hardly have been written by the brother of John the 
apostle, as he suffered martyrdom in the first persecution of Christians under 
Herod. There is not much doubt that it was written by James the son of 
Alphaeus, who also appears, b}^ the narrative of Luke and the letters of Paul, 
to have had a kind of primacy among the apostles at Jerusalem. It was 
probably written about A. D. 62. 

As has been intimated, one great occasion of contention concerning this 
epistle is found in the author's comparison of Faith and AVorks, in which he 
has been by some supposed to be in flat contradiction to Paul. It is strange 
that such an impression could have so widely prevailed. Clearly enough to 
a careful and critical reader, while one writer makes Faith prominent and the 
other Works, there is no antagonism. The one is insisting on Faith as the 
vital and essential thing, as against those who teach a righteousness to be 
secured through observance of the ceremonial law. The other defends such 
Works as are implied in obedience to the divine commands against those who 
teach that moral conduct is of no consequence so long as the belief is correct, 
or so long as one trusts in Christ whose righteousness will then be substituted 
for one's own. Neither teaches that mere opinion or blind trust, or that legal 
obedience, will meet the want of the soul; both believe that such a trust in 
Christ is necessary as implies a purpose to do and be and bear what God 
requires. 

The epistle is addressed to the converted Jews and Israelites who were 
scattered abroad among the nations, though some of the allusions point also 
to the Jews in their national capacity. It is evidently intended to convey to 
them positive instruction on the subject of Cliristian marals. It also guards 
them against the harmful notions which were beginning to be disseminated 
in certain quarters to the effect that a formal acceptance of Christ was 
all that was essential, and that the moral character availed nothing. It 
abounds in forcible appeals, bold rebukes, earnest exhortations and whole- 
some advice. 

The First Epistle op Peter was written, as the address indicates, to 
companies of Christians scattered throughout the world, though more par- 
ticularly to those of Asia Minor. The phraseology might indicate that the 
classes addressed were the same as those to whom James wrote, viz., Chris- 
tian Jews; but there are intimations in the text of the epistle which would 
not agree with this supposition. Such are those contained in ii. 10 — iv. 3. 
The apostle appears to have been at Babylon when he wrote; and though 
there have been differences of opinion as to what particular place is meant, 
the majority of reputable authorities agree that it was the new Babylon built 
in the vicinity of. the site of the famous imperial city. There were many 
Jewish residents there, and Peter had doubtless made that the center of one 
of his great missionary campaigns. The time of its writing was probably 
somewhere between A. D. 60 and 64. 



176 BIBLE STUDY. 

The design of the epistle wherewith also the contents correspond, was : 
1. To comfort and encourage the Christians, many of whom were passing 
through severe trials. 2. To enforce the practical duties involved in their 
religious profession. 3. To warn them against special temptations attached 
to their position. 4. To remove all doubt as to the completeness and sound- 
ness of the system which they had received. This last was the more need- 
ful as we have seen in Paul's epistles that there were parties opposed to the 
latter, and who endeavored to divert the churches founded by him, on the 
ground that Peter and the older apostles were of higher authority. The in- 
structions and exhortations of this epistle were well calculated to set at rest 
any such agitations and dissensions. 

It is also worthy of note that the churches to which the parties here ad- 
dressed belonged, were founded chiefly by Paul, and this fact as well as the 
tone of the epistle wholly dissipates the ancient theory of any antagonism 
between the two apostles. 

The style of the epistle is what we might expect in one written by Peter; 
earnest, fervid, impulsive and emotional; yet with all these qualities chast- 
ened and controlled. There are many passages of great power and glowing 
eloquence. 

The Second Epistle op Peter, unlike the first, has been a subject of 
much controversy, both as to its authenticity and its canonicity. The chief 
ground of doubt concerning it is found in its supposed dissimilarity of style 
to the first epistle. It is true that there are some grounds for this supposi- 
tion. The two epistles are in some respects unlike, yet this lack of similarity 
is not predicable of the whole of the two epistles. There are also some parts 
of this epistle which bear a striking resemblance of that of Jude, so that some 
have surmised that they had one author. 

On the other hand there are internal evidences that the First and Second 
Epistles were both by the author whose name they bear. The opening pas- 
sage of this epistle announces the writer to be " Simon P.eter, a servant and 
an apostle of Jesus Christ." It is also said, (iii. 1,) " This second epistle, be- 
loved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure mind by way 
of remembrance." He also alludes in a striking way to the Transfiguration, 
and the voice ''from the most excellent glory;" and goes on to declare, "And 
this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the 
holy mount." i. 17, 18. These passages would indicate the authorship clearly 
enough unless this was an intentional forgery, and we can hardly divine a 
motive for so audacious an act. Moreover a forgery would have been likely 
to have imitated the style of the assumed writer rather than to have differed 
so much from it. 

This letter was evidently written to the same parties to whom the former 
was addressed. The time and place of its writing are unknown. If Peter 
ever came to Rome, it was probably written there. In any case, its date was 
probably not long before his death, or about the year 64 A. D. The design 
of the epistle was to remind those to whom it was written of the true princi- 
ples of the Christian faith, and to warn them against the pernicious teachings 
of some whom the writer foresaw would undertake to lead them away from 
the simplicity of the truth. The characteristics of these teachers and their 



THE PKOPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. I77 

teaching are somewhat vividly set forth. There are some important doc- 
trines which are brought out more fully here than elsewhere in the Bible. 
Among these are the statements concerning the final conflagration of the 
world, and the new heavens and the new earth. 



James ; I. Peter ; II. Peter. 

1. How many different persons bear the name of James among the 
disciples of Jesus? Which one is supposed to be the author of the epistle 
bearing this name? What was formerly the main ground of doubt concern- 
ing the authenticity of this epistle ? To what other apostle was it supposed 
to be opposed and in what respect? 

2. To whom is the epistle addressed? i. 1. What instruction does it 
convey? What cautions does it contain? 

3. How may trials prove a benefit? i. 2 — 4. If we lack wisdom, what 
are we to do? 5—8. Will it do any good to ask for what we do not mean to 
use? What is implied in /mY^ here? 

4. What of the vanity of wealth? 10, 11. The cause of temptation? 
12 — 15. Whence all gifts? 17. Difference between mere hearing and doing? 
22—25. Genuine religion? 26, 27. 

5. What is said of the greater probability that the poor will be accept- 
able to God than the rich? ii. 5 — 7. The royal law and its application? 
8—13. 

6. How does the writer represent the relation of faith and works? 14 — 
26. How is this to be reconciled with the doctrine of faith as the condition 
of salvation? (Introduction.) There is a faith which is mere assent or belief, 
and another which implies the practice of the divine requirements; which 
does this writer mean? 

7. What instruction is given concerning the liabilities of the tongue? 
iii. 1 — 12. What two kinds of wisdom and their difference? 13 — 18. 

8 . What do you find concerning selfishness in living and in religious 
effort? iv. 1—6. Rule for calculations of the future? 13—16. 

9. What rebuke to mere worldly and selfish men? v. 1 — 6. Advice to 
the pious and persecuted. What great hope is expressed? 7. Examples of 
endurance. 10, 11. 

10. Simplicity of speech? 12. Utility and power of prayer? 13 — 18. 
The good effected by converting a soul? 19, 20 

11. To whom was the first epistle of Peter written? Where and when? 
What Babylon was this, and why was Peter there ? What is there in the 
epistle and the circumstances calculated to dissipate the theory of any antag- 
onism between Peter and Paul? (Introduction.) 

12. What were some of the objects of the epistle? (Introduction.) 
Under the first design what encouragements are mentioned? i. 3, 4, 6, 7; iv. 
12, 13. 

13. What are some of the duties enjoined under the second head; as for 
instance, what duties of consecration? i. 13 — 16; iii. 15. Of society? ii. 13 — 
17. Of domestic life? 18; iii. 1, 7. Of Christian brotherhood? i. 22; ii. 1— 
5; iii. 8, 9; iv. 8—11; v. 1—3, 5. Of watchfulness? v. 8. 
* 8 



178 BIBLE STUDY. 

14. What warnings against special temptations? Sensuality? ii. 11, 12; 
iv. 2, 3, 4. Vanity? iii. 3, 4. Vindictiveness? 9. 

15. What confirmation does the writer give of the chief doctrines of re- 
demption? i. 8—12, 18—21; ii. 21—25; iii. 18—22. Do you find any intima- 
tion in favor of those Jewish observances on which the enemies of Paul in- 
sisted ? 

16. What controversy has there been concerning the Second Epistle of 
Peter? The ground of the supposition that it is unauthentic? What inter- 
nal evidence in favor of its genuineness? Introduction, and i. 1; iii. 1; i. 
17, 18. What are the probabilities of a forgery? 

17. To whom and when was it written? The design of the letter? What 
are some of the characteristics of the false teachers, against which warning 
is given? ii. 1—3, 10, 12—14. The style of their teaching? 17—19. 

18. The results of such living and teaching, as illustrated by Old Testa- 
ment examples? ii. 4 — 6, 15, 16, 21, 22. Against what does he particularly 
warn those to whom he writes? iii. 2 — 4. How does he illustrate this spirit? 
5,6. 

19. What predictions, more explicit than we find elsewhere in the New 
Testament, are given concerning the termination of the present period? 7, 
10, 12, 13. What exhortations are founded on this declaration? 11, 14, 17. 
What reference to Paul's writings? 15, 16. 

20. Give the list of Christian virtues, in their logical order? i. 5 — 7. 
What is the character of the address and exhortation of the opening chapter? 



XXVI. 
The Epistles of John and Jude, 

The Epistles of John do not bear his name, and there is nothing specific 
in them to indicate the writer, except the style. But this is so obvious that 
there can be scarcely any doubt as to the authenticity. They were probably 
written at or near Ephesus, and near the end of the First Century, or 91 or 92 
A. D. The First Epistle was written primarily doubtless to churches in Asia 
Minor, over which John probably exercised a kind of supervision, and in 
which he was particularly interested. But it was also designed for Chris- 
tians generally. It is supposed by many that one object of the epistle was 
to warn those to whom it was especially addressed against certain heretical 
teachings then being diffused among the churches. Gnosticism was the chief 
of these, and consisted in the doctrine of the inherent viciousness and cor- 
ruption of matter, and hence as one of its tenets inferred that Christ did not 
come in the flesh, because this would be degrading to him. Out of this, 
there arose a variety of confusing and conflicting ideas which were full of 
mischief. There are several passages in which very likely this false doctrine 
is alluded to. The more prominent of these are i. 1, 2, and iv. 2, 3. j 



THE PROPAGATION" OF THE GOSPEL. 179 

But probably this was only incidentally his object. The epistle is not 
controversial, but rather hortatory and instructive. It every-where incul- 
cates and enforces that spirit of love of which this apostle was so eminent an 
example. 

The Second Epistle is addressed to "an elect lady," probably some emi- 
nent Christian woman in the East. In it he gives similar warnings to those 
in the First Epistle. Indeed, it is said, that of the thirteen verses which com- 
pose this epistle, eight are the same in substance as an equal number con- 
tained in the first. 

The Third Epistle was addressed to a prominent Christian by the name 
of Gains. He is very likely the same person of whom Paul speaks, Rom. 
xvi. 23, as "mine host, and of the whole church." The same characteristics 
appear in John's commendation in this epistle. 5, 6. " Beloved, thou doest 
faithfully whatever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers; which have 
borne witness of thy charity before the church." He was probably a wealthy 
layman whose house was a home for the apostles and Christian evangelists. 
This epistle appears to be a personal letter of friendly and affectionate char- 
acter, but written more especially to commend to the hospitality of the per- 
son to whom it is written some Christians who were traveling that way. It 
seems that he had before written to some of the elders of the church, but at 
the instigation of one Diotrephes, the brethren had not been received. 

The Epistle of Jude has been the occasion of some doubt, both as to its 
authorship and its canonicity. The name given in the title is the same as 
that in the list of apostles given by Luke (vi. 16.) Some have thought, how- 
ever, that this was not the apostle, but one of the same name, and a brother 
of another James. There is little doubt among evangelical writers of its 
right to be in the canon. It is not known at just what time it was written, 
but the prevailing opinion makes it about A. D. 66. It was addressed to 
Christians generally, but primarily probably to those churches in Asia 3Iinor 
to which the Epistles of Peter and perhaps the First of John were sent. The 
contents of the epistle coincide, in a large measure, with a part of the Second 
Epistle of Peter. 

The object of the epistle is expressed in the third verse, and the reason 
given in the fourth. The adversaries of pure doctrine and life, who at the 
same time professed to be Christian disciples, are portrayed, and the brethren, 
are carefully warned against them. 



First, Second, Third Epistles of John ; Jude. 

1. What is there in the three Epistles of John to show that they were 
written by the apostle of that name? Can you mention any phi-ases or ex- 
pressions which are similar to some in the Fourth Gospel? About what time 
were they all probably written? 

2. To whom was the First Epistle written? Its object and some of its 
contents? What was the heresy which John is thought to oppose? What 
are some of the expressions indicating this? i. 1; iv. 2, 3. By what t^rm. 
does he designate these errorists? ii. 18. 



180 BIBLE STUDY. 

3. What is the great characteristic of this epistle? How does this com- 
port with the character of the Apostle John? 

4. Mention some of the passages in which this spirit of love predomi- 
nates or is enjoined? What other important quality is largely referred to, 
and what is meant by it? i. 5, 7; ii. 9, 10. 

5. What passages prove that faithful obedience is a means of light and 
truth? i. 6; ii. 3, 4, 5, 27, 29. What important office of Christ is declared? 
ii, 1. What reasons does he give for writing to the different classes men- 
tioned? ii. 12—14. 

6. What high privilege belongs to believers? iii. 1, 2. The distinction 
between those who are Christians and those who are not? 4 — 10. An essen- 
tial mark of real believers? 14. How is hatred characterized? 15; iv. 20. 

7. The mark of genuine faith? v. 1, 2. The power of such a faith? 4, 
5. How do men know of their regeneration? 10 — 12. The prayer of faith 
and its effect? 14, 15. 

8. To whom was the Second Epistle written? How does it compare 
with the First Epistle? What significant warning is given? 9, 10. 

9. Who was the recipient of the Third Epistle? Do we probably meet 
this name elsewhere? What seems to have been the character of this man? 
The object of the epistle? 5 — 7. What rebuke to some of the officers of the 
church? What may we gather concerning the character of the family of 
Gaius? 4. 

10. What difference of opinion has existed concerning the Epistle of 
Jude ? To what other of the apostles was the first Jude or Judas mentioned 
by Luke related? Is it certain that this is that one? 

11. To whom was it written? To what other epistle is it similar? Point 
out any similarities that you find. 

12. The object of the epistle? 3. What reason was there for this? 4. 
What lessons are we taught concerning those who have once been subjects of 
saving grace, but have afterwards forsaken the faith? 5, 6. 

13. What were some of the characteristics of the perverters concerning 
whom Jude writes? 8—10, 12, 13, 16, 19. What had some of the apostles 
foretold concerning such characters? 17 — 19. 



XXVII. 
The Eevelation of John. 

The Book of Revelation was written by "John, a brother and compan- 
ion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ," to some 
of those to whom he wrote; who was also under banishment to the island of 
Patmos for his adherence to Christ. Certain German critics and some others 
have denied that this was the Apostle John. The chief ground of this de- 
nial is the difference of style. But this, in so far as it exists, is readily ac- 



THE PEOPAGATIOK OF THE GOSPEL. J^J 

counted for in the vastly and radically different character of the subjects. 
A simple narrative of events readily conceived by any one, or a letter to 
familiar friends on topics concerning which they were accustomed to con- 
verse, would not demand a style like the stupendous and astonishing visions 
and utterances which the writer of the Book of Revelation was called upon 
to record. Besides, a careful examination will reveal not a difference, but a 
striking similarity of style in the simple narrative parts of the book, as com- 
pared with the Fourth Gospel and the Epistles. This, taken with the almost 
unanimous traditions of the early Christian centuries, secures the majority 
of authoritative suffrages in favor of the Apostle John as the writer. 

As to its date, the authorities are more nearly equally divided. Many 
names of great weight are found in favor of the opinion that it was \vTitten 
in the time of Nero, and not long after the death of Paul. The main reason 
for this early date, is the belief that much of the prophetical part of the book 
was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the life and death of Nero; 
this belief being founded on the intimation that the things here revealed 
would "shortly come to pass." i. 1, (See also xxii. 6, 7,10, 12,20.) But a 
number of weighty facts and circumstances militate against this. In the first 
place, there is the nearly unanimous voice of the fathers and of those near- 
est John's time who assign a later date. Then there is the fact that the ex- 
pression of " the Lord's day" for Sunday did not begin to be used till near 
the end of the first century. In the third place, the condition of some of 
the churches could not have been so early such as is represented. Finally, 
the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible, it would seem, should be more obvious 
in order for the edification of believers. 

These and similar considerations furnish weighty reasons for believing 
that the book was written by John the apostle during the reign of the Em- 
peror Domitian, under whom the second fierce persecution of Christians 
occurred, and in which John had been banished to the island of Patmos. 

The contents of the book may be loosely grouped as follows: — 1. After 
the title of the book (i. 1 — 3) and the salutation to the seven churches (4), 
the writer sets forth his fundamental idea, viz. , Jesus Christ as the central 
figure and power in the government of the world. (5 — 8.) 2. There is the 
\ision of the seven golden candlesticks with the Son of Man in the midst of 
them, whom he describes (9 — 20), and who dictates the messages which are 
to be sent to the seven churches in Asia, of which John seems to have had 
the general supervision, (ii. 1; iii. 22.) 3. Then comes the second vision — 
that of the throne of God, — the slain Lamb opening the otherwise insoluble 
seven seals of the book, which, as they are severally opened, furnish each its 
appropriate revelation, (iv. 1 — viii. 1.) 4. Next is the vision of the seven 
angels with trampets, the sounding of which in order is the signal of suc- 
cessive judgments, (viii. 2 — xi. 19.) 5. A series of visions of varied char- 
acter, (a.) The woman and the child, persecuted by the dragon, and pro- 
tected by divine power, (xii.) (b.) The living creature with seven heads 
and ten horns, persecuting the people of God, and a two-horned beast of the 
same spirit and having a mystical number, (xiii.) (c.) The Lamb and the 
144,000 who celebrate his praises; the angels proclaiming the fall of Babylon, 
blessing the faithful dead, and pronouncing the doom of the wicked; the 



182 BIBLE STUDY. 

harvest, (xvi.) (d.) The saints who had overcome the beast, sing the song 
of Moses and the Lamb. The seven angels pour out the seven vials of divine 
v^rath upon the several objects vl U. (xv., xvi.) (e.) The harlot sitting on 
the scarlet beast with the seven heads and ten horns — a great and wicked 
city on seven hills and controlling many kings. The destruction of this city 
and evil power, (xvii., xviii.) (f.) The triumph of the Lamb. Satan bound 
for a thousand years. His release at the termination of this period, and 
vain attempt to regain his power. His final destruction, the resurrection of 
the dead and general judgment, with the new heaven and the new earth, 
(xix,, xxi. 1.) (g.) The description of the eternal city, and injunctions to 
the prophet. 

The interpretations of this book have been almost as various as the com- 
mentators. It is more than probable that the time for its complete interpre- 
tation, or the interpretation of any considerable part of it, has not yet come. 
The Bible was written not only for all men in all nations and conditions, but 
also for all generations in all time. Much that would not be explicable or 
applicable to one class or in one age, may be clear and well suited to another. 
It is more than probable that, as in the past progress of the world new truth 
has been constantly appearing in the Bible which no preceding age had dis- 
covered, so it m-ay be in the future, and that many passages which are now 
partially sealed to us will be clearly understood by those who come after us. 
But this does not necessarily imply that any part of the Divine Word is use- 
less to any generation. Even some of its obscurest parts have some lessons 
of instruction to all who prayerfully study them. So this wonderful and 
mysterious book of the Revelation conveys every-where to the devout soul 
intimations of the power and wisdom and perpetual providence of God. 



1. By whom was the book wi'itten? What are the reasons against and 
in favor of the opinion that this was John the apostle ? 

2. What diiference of opinion as to its date? The grounds of each 
opinion? To whom was the book addressed or dedicated? i. 4. 

3. What is the fundamental idea of the book? 5, 6, and Introduction. 
The location of the * ' seven churches ? " What is meant by Asia f 

4. Give the subjects of the first two divisions of the book? (Introduc- 
tion.) Take up severally the messages to the seven churches, and give in 
order the following particulars concerning each: — (a.) What is commended? 
(b.) What is censured? (c.) What is enjoined? (d.) What is promised to 
the overcomers? 

5. What is the subject of the third division? How is Christ repre- 
sented in V. 5? How in 6? What is the subject of the song of praise? 9, 
10. What followed the opening of the first five seals severally? vi. 1 — 11. 

6. What extraordinary events consequent upon the opening of the sixth 
seal? 12 — 17. What other important transaction during this period ? vii. 2, 
3. How many of each tribe, and in the aggregate, of the old covenant peo- 
ple, were sealed? 4 — 8. 

7. Did these comprise all the glorified? 9. What had been the pre- 



THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. 183 

vious experience of these? 13, 14. Their glorified experience? 15 — 17. 
What followed the breaking of the seventh seal? viii. 1. 

8. "What series of events comprise the fourth division? What events 
in order followed the sounding of the first four trumpets? viii. 2 — 13. 
What terrible commotions were consequent on the sounding of the fifth 
trumpet? ix. 1 — 12. What would be the condition of wicked men in this 
period? 5, 6. 

9. The sequence of the sounding of the sixth trumpet? Its effect on 
men? 14—18. Did the survivors repent? 20, 21. The final grand and aw- 
ful catastrophe declared? x. 1, 5 — 7. Was this to take place in this period, 
or in the next? 8. The sounding of the seventh trumpet? xi. 15 — 19. 

10. Mention some of the more conspicuous of the visions comprising 
the fifth division. What moral characteristics are embodied throughout, in 
the dragon, the beasts with many heads and many horns, and in the notable 
woman arrayed in purple and scarlet? What is always in antagonism with 
them, and finally overcomes them? xii. 7 — 11; xiii. 7, 8; xiv. 9, 10, etc. 

11. What was the character of ancient Babylon? (See Old Testament 
Prophets.) Could these predictions apply to it? What then must have been 
the character of the power or agency designated by this name here? What 
are some of the things said of it? What was to be its fate? xiv. 8; xvi. 19; 
xvii. 5, 18; xviii, 

12. What is the subject of the song of the glorified, in view of the judg- 
ments before described? xix. 1 — 8. What judgment of Satan is spoken of? 
XX. 1—8. Was this to be final? 7. What is the final doom? 10. 

13. How are the general resurrection and judgment described? 11 — 15. 
What are some of the characteristics of the heavenly Jerusalem? xxi., xxii. 



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